A 
SUMMARY    HISTORY 

O  F 

NEW-ENGLAND, 

FROM    THE 

FIRST  SETTLEMENT  AT  PLYMOUTH, 

\ 

TO    THE     ACCEPTANCE    OF     THE 

FEDERAL    CONSTITUTION. 

COMPREHENDING 
A    GENERAL    SKETCH     OF    THE 

AMERICAN      WAR. 

-  xxxxxx<O<O><O>xxxxxx  - 
BY    HANNAH     ADAMS. 


"  Hail,  O  hail 

My  much  lov'd  native  land  !  New  Albion  hail  ! 
The  happieft  realm,  that,  round  his  circling  courfe, 
The  all  fearching  fun  beholds. 

With  wifdom,  virtue,  and  the  generous  love 
Of  learning  fraught,  and  freedom's  living  flame, 
Eledlric,  unextinguifhable,  fir'd, 
Our  Sires  eftablifh'd  in  thy  cheerful  bounds, 
The  nobleft  infKtutions  man  has  let?i  .;•"?>    »   ; 
Since  time  his  reign  began." 

DWIGHT'S 


according  to  aft  of  Congrefs* 


DEDH4M  ;   PRINTED  FOR  THE  AUTHOR,  a* 

ff.  MANN  AND  J.  H.  ADAMS. 


JM.DCC.XC.1X, 

'11    'f 


^ 


To  the  READER. 


M. 


ANY,  efpecially  in  early  life,  may  wifli 
to  perufe  a  {ketch  of  American  affairs,  before  they  have 
time  or  ability  to  acquire  more  enlarged  knowledge.  Though 
the  compiler  of  the  enfuing  work  is  impreffed  with  the  many 
difficulties  attending  it,  yet  fhe  hopes  the  charge  of  arrogance 
will  not  be  incurred,  fmce  her  defign  is  merely  to  encourage 
and  gratify  fuch  a  wifh,  by  giving  the  outlines  of  the  intereft- 
ing  hiftory  of  New-England,  In  the  profecution  of  this 
work,  fhe  has,  with  great  care  and  affiduity^  fearched  the 
ancient  Hiftories  of  New-England.  She  has  alfo  had  re* 
courfe  to  various  manufcripts,  particularly,  .thofe  which 
throw  light  on  the  hiftory  of  Rhode-Iiland.  For  more  mod- 
ern information,  fhe  has  recurred  to  Belknap's  Hiftory  of 
New-Hamplhire,  TrumbuH's  Hiftory  of  Connecticut,  Ram- 
fay's  Hiftory  of  the  American  Revolution,  Gordon's  Hifto- 
ry of  the  American  War,  Minot's  Hiftory  of  the  Infurrection, 
and  his  Continuation  of  Hutchinfon  j  Williams'  Hiftory  of 
Vermont,  Sullivan's  Hiftory  of  the  Diftrict  of  Maine,  and 
Morfe's  Geography.  In  abridging  the  works  of  thofe  excel* 
lent  authors,  ihe  is  fenfible  of  her  inability  to  do  them  juf- 
tice,  and  has  fometimes  made  ufe  of  their  own  words.  The 
reader  is  always  referred,  for  further  in  formation >  to  thofe 
ingenious  performances ;  and  the  higheft  ambkion  of  the 
compiler  is,  that  her  imperfect  fketch  may  excite  a  more 
general  attention  ta  the  large  and  valuable  hiftories  of  die 
country.  In  giving  a  fketch  of  the  American  war,  her 
ignorance  of  military  terms  has  rendered  it  necelTary  to 
iruafcribe  more  liter^dly  from  the  words  of  the  aujjiors> 


To  THE    R  K  A  D  E  It. 

thai* -in  the  other  parts  of  the  hiftory.  But  though  a  female 
cannot  b«  fuppofed  to  be  accurate  in  defcribing,  and  muft 
fhrink  with  horror  in  relating  the  calamities  .of  war,  yet  fhe 
may  be  allowed  to  feel  a  lively  intereft  in  the  great  caufe,  fir 
'which  the  fvjord  was  drawn  in  America.  The  compiler  is 
apprized  of  the  numerous  defects  of  the  work,  and  fenfible 
it  will  not  bear  the  teft  of  cnticifm.  Her  incapacity  for  exe- 
cuting it  has  been  heightened  by  a  long  interval  of  ill  health, 
which  has  precluded  much  of  that  ftudipus  application, 
which,  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  is  indifpcnfably  nece/Tary* 
She  hopes,  therefore,  that  generous  humanity  will  foften  the 
afperity  of  cenfure,  and  that  the  public  will  view  with  canT 
dpr  the  afliduous,  though,  perhaps,  unfuccefsful  efforts  of 
a  female  pen, 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I, 

F  the  perfecution  in  England,  and fettlement  of  Plymouth. 

CHAPTER  IT. 

Of  the  fettlement  cfthe  Maffachufetts  colony. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Of  the  fettlement  of  New-HavtpJhire,  the  Province  of  Maine^ 
Connecticut  and  New-Haven. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Qf  the  fettlement  cf  Providence,  Rhodc-Iftand,  and  fome  other 
places. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Various  particulars  rcfpetling  the  colonies,  from  1637  to  1646, 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Of  the  comer/ion  of  the  Indians  to  Chriftianity.  The  New-Eng- 
land churches  ejlablijh  a  platform  of  church  government.  The 
folonies  form  a  code  of/aivs. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Of  the  perfecution  of  the  Bapttfts  and  Quakers, 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Of  the  proceedings  in  the  colonies,  from  1661  to  1668, 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Of  the  i^ar  with  Philip,  a  fid  the  E  after  n  Indians. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Of  the  arbitrary  proceedings  of  the  Englifh  government  towards 
}hs  colonies. 

CHAPTER  XI, 

Qfthe  war  with  the  Eaftern  Indians.     Of  the  charter  granted  to 

Majj'achufetts. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Of  'the  fapfofsd  witchcrafts  in  New-England.  Of  the  renewal  cf 
(he  Indian  war.  Peace  concluded* 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XIII, 
,  from  the  year  1699   to  1713. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Of  tle  attention  paid  to  learning  in  Npw-Englaiqk      Various  relt* 
gious  denominations,  and  other  particulars. 

CHAPTER   XV. 

Gftbe  altercations  of  the  gownvrs  of  maffackufetti  wM   tie  /*<?? 
pie,  and  ot',.cr  particulars. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Hiftorical  events,  fro??z  the  year   1730^  l74-6- 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Far'tour  particulars  resetting  the  difputes,  between  the  French  and 
Britijh  colonies. 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Gfthf  fuccefs  which  attended  tho^olonics  hi  their    ivar    with  th$ 
French  nation.      General  peace, 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

An  accQiuit  of  the  femnanes  of  learning   in  New-England,  and 
other  particulars. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Rife  cfthf   controwrfy  bet<--ween    Great-Britain  and  tL?  colonies* 
Of  the  Jtamp-ach 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Nc-w  plan  of  ralftng  a  revenue  in  Atncrtca.     Spirited  oppfohn  of 
the  colonies. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

*Tbe  Eiift-India  company  Jcnd  tea  to  Jlweric.a.      The  tea  thrown 
into  the  fea  at  Bofton.      Confluences  of  that  nieafarc. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Of  the  proceedings  of  the    continental  convrefs     Of  the  meafures 
taken  by  tie  Brit '///'  parliament.      The  colonies  prepare  for  cwr, 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

The  commencement '  of  hoflilities  at  Lexington*      Bunker-kill  battle^ 
find  other  tranfaftions. 

CHAPTER   XXV. 

Of  the  proceedings  of  the  fecond  continental  congrcfs,  and other  par-\ 
ticuUrs  ref pc fling  the  near. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

The  Canada  expedition.     TrxufettiMs  in  th 


C  O  N  T  E  N  T  S. 

CHAPTER   XXVII. 

YtVfUtpt&iQtls  in  Maffachufetts.  Particulars  refpefting  thf  war  in 
Canada^  and  Ch.arlejlon^  in  South-Carolina.  Proceedings  of  the 
Britijh  pai -iiii mer.t. 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Gf  American  independence  ^   and  the  formation  offtate  conjlituticfts . 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 
An  account  of  the  difajlroiis  events  in  1776.     Battles  of  Trenton 

at!d  Princeton. 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

The  campaign  of '1777,  in  the  middle  ft  dt€s. 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

*T!:e  Northern  campaign  of  1777. 

CHAPTER   XXXII. 

"Tie  alliance  between  France  and  the  United  States.  Campaign 
6/1778. 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Campaign   of  17/9. 

CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

Campaign   of  1780.. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 
Rfvolt  cf  a  number  of  tke  American  foldicrs.    Campaign  of  1781. 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Campaign  cf  1 7  8 1 .  Cortiwallis  captured.  Treatment  of  Amer- 
ican frifoners. 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Cf  foreign  affairs.  The  definitive  treaty  of  peace  is  concluded. 
Tie  A 'i/;c -lii an  army  dijlianded.  Gen.  Washington  rejigns  his 
commijjlon,  and  retires  to  his  feat  in  Virginia. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Difficulties  after  the  peace.      RMllon  in  Majfachufcttt. 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

A  neiv  confiitiiiion  formed^  and  received  by  the  United  States. 

CHAPTER  XL. 

State  of  literature  in  Nt~jj-ILngland.     The  condujisn* 


CHAPTER    t 

Difcovery  of  America  by  Columbus,  tifoifwns  ift 
England  after  tie  reformation.  Perfection  un* 
der  the  reigns  of  Elizabeth  and  James*  Mr.  Rob* 
infon  and  his  congregation  remove  to  Holland* 
Part  of  his  congregation  embark  for  America* 
Their  fettlement  at  Plymouth,  and  the  hard/hips 
they  endured.  They  are  joined  by  a  f mall  party* 
Treaty  of  alliance  'with  the  Indian  princes.  Death 
and  character  of  Mr.  Robin/on.  A  number  of  the 
Ley  den  congregation  Arrive  at  Plymouth.  The  col* 
ony  obtain  a  patent.  Char-after  9  government  and 
religion  of  the  fettlers. 


rr^ 


JL  H  E  difcovery  of  America  is  one  of 
the  moft  celebrated  achievements  in  the  annals 
of  hiftory.  Chriftopher  Columbus,  the  difcover- 
er,  was  a  native  of  the  Republic  of  Genoa.  He 
was  born  in  1447,  and,  at  the  age  of  fourteen, 
entered  upon  a  feafaring  life,  in  which  profeflion 
he  was  eminently  diftinguifhed.  After  a  long  and 
fruitlefs  application  to  feveral  courts  of  Europe, 
his  plan  of  exploring  new  regions  obtained  the  ap- 
probation, of  (fabella,  Queen  of  Caftile.  Through 


HISTORY    OF 

her  patronage  he  fet  fail,  1492,  with  three  final! 
vefTels,  which  contained  one  hundred  and  twenty 
feameri.  The  formidable  difficulties,  which  at- 
tended his  voyage  to  regions  hitherto  unexplored, 
were,  at  length,  furmounted  by  his  aftonifhing 
fortitude  and  perfeverance.  After  difcovering  fev- 
eral  of  the  Weft-India  iflands,  he  built  a  fort,  and 
left  a  garrifon  of  thirty-five  men  in  Hifpaniola,  to 
maintain  the  Spanifh  pretenfions  in  that  country. 
He  fet  out  on  his  return  to  Spain  in  1493,  anc* 
arrived  in  March,  with  the  joyful  intelligence  of  a 
new  world,  excelling  the  kingdoms  of  Europe  in 
gold  and  filver,  and  blefl  with  a  luxuriant  foil. 

^THE  voyages  of  Columbus  paved  the  way  for 
ether  European  adventurers,  who  were  flimulat- 
cd  by  ambition  and  avarice  to  make  further  difcov- 
eries ;  till,  finally,  the  rich  empires  of  Mexico 
and  Peru  were  fubdued  by  lawlefs  invaders.  The 
feeling  heart  bleeds  in  reviewing  the  hiftory  of 
South-America,  and  is  filled  with  horror  at  the 
fuccefsful  villainy  of  its  intrepid  conquerors.f 

THE  hiftory  of  North-America  exhibits  a  very 
different  fcene.  Many  of  the  firft  fettlers  of  this 
country  were  animated,  by  the  defire  of  pofTeiling 
religious  liberty,  to  abandon  their  native  land, 
where  they  enjoyed  eafe  and  affluence ;  and  to 
ftruggle  through  a  variety  of  hard/hips,  in  an  un- 
cultivated wildernefs  inhabited  by  favages. 

THE  fettlements  of  New-England,  which  are 
the  particular  object  of  the  enfuing  hiftory,  owe 

f  See  Robert/en* t  Hiforj  of  South*  dmtrita. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D,  *  a 

their  rife  to  the  religious  difputes  that  attended 
the  reformation  in  England. 

WHEN  King  Henry  VIII.  renounced  the  pa- 
pal fupremacy,  he  transferred  to  himfelf  the  fpi- 
litual  power  which  had  been  exercifed  by  the 
Bjfhops  of  Rome-  He  fet  up  himfelf  as  fupreme 
head  of  the  Englifh  church,  and  commanded  all 
his  fubjeds  to  pay  allegiance  to  him  in  his  newly 
aflumed  chara&er. 

THIS  claim  was  maintained  by  his  fon  and  fuc- 
ceffbr  Edward  VI.  in  whofe  reign  the  reforma- 
tion made  great  progrefs,  and  a  fetvice  book  was 
publifhed  by  royal  authority,  as  the  ftandard  of 
worfhip  and  difcipline.  His  fitter  Mary,  who  fuc- 
ceeded  him,  reftored  the  papal  fupremacy,  and 
raifed  fuch  a  violent  perfecution  againft  the  re- 
formers, that  numbers  of  them  fled  into  Germany 
and  the  Netherlands,  where  they  departed  from 
the  uniformity  eftablifhed  in  England,  and  became 
divided  in  their  fentiments  and  practice  refpe&ing 
religious  worfhip, 

AT  the  acceflion  of  Elizabeth,  they  returned 
to  their  native  country  with  fanguine  hopes  of  re- 
forming the  church  of  England,  according  to  the 
refpective  opinions  which  they  had  embraced  in 
their  exile.  But  they  foon  found  that  the  Queen 
was  fond  of  the  eftablifhment  made  in  the  reign  of 
her  brother  Edward,  and  ftrpngly  prejudiced  in 
favor  of  pomp  and  ceremony  in  religion.  She 
afferted  her  fupremacy  in  the  mofl  abfolute  terms, 
aad  ere&ed  an  high  commiflion  court,  withexten* 


HISTORY    OF 

five  jurifdicUon  in  ecclefiaftical  affairs.  In  confe* 
quence  of  the  rigorous  meafures  which  were  pur* 
fued  to  enforce  uniformity,  a  feparation  from  the 
eflablifhed  church  took  place.  Thofe  who  were 
defirous  of  a  further  reformation  from  the  Rom- 
ifh  fuperftitions,  and  of  a  more  pure  and  perfect 
form  of  religion,  were  denominated  Puritans.! 

DURING  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  the  Puritans,  or 
Non-Conformifts,  as  they  were  called,  from  their 
refuting  to  conform  to  the  ceremonies  of  the 
church  of  England,  were  feverely  perfecuted. 
Some  were  cafl  into  prifon,  where  a  number  per- 
ifhed  ;  others  were  baniihed,  and  a  few  were  put 
to  death.  Thofe  Proteftants  who,  during  the 
bloody  reign  of  Mary,  fuffered  all  the  rigor  of 
perfecution,  now  encountered  each  other  with  the 
fame  cruel  animofity.  The  manner  of  proceeding 
was  indeed  foftened ;  banifhment,  fines  and  im« 
prifonment  were  fubftituted  for  the  unrelenting 
vengeance  of  the  flake.  But  the  principle  was 
the  fame,  and  produced  a  fimilar  effect.  In  both, 
reigns  the  number  of  thofe  who  refufed  to  con* 
form  to  the  eftablifhed  worfhip  increafed.| 

THE  peifecution  of  the  Puritans  was  continued 
with  great  feverity  during  the  reign  of  James  I. 
until,  defpairing  of  redrefs,  they  determined  to 
feek  an  afylum  in  a  foreign  land,  where  they 
could  enjoy  the  free  exercife  of  their  religious 
opinions. 

f  Neal7/  Hiftory  of  the  Puritan*. — Belknap's  HiJIory  of  New* 
tftimpjhire,  fo/.  I  p.   6l,  62,    63. 
J  Sfe  Ntal'j  Hiforj  o/jfa  Puritan?. 


NEW-ENGLAND,  *3 

AT  the  period,  when  the  perfecution  in  this  1608. 
reign  had  arifen  to  its  higheft  degree  under  Arch- 
biihop  Bancroft,  Mr.  Robinfon,  a  diflenting  cler- 
gyman in  England,  with  part  of  his  congregation, 
removed  to  Amflerdam,  in  Holland,  and,  with 
permifiion  of  the  magiflrates,  fettled  at  Leyden 
the  fubfequent  year.  There  they  formed  a  church, 
and  enjoyed  religious  liberty.  After  twelve  years 
refidence  in  Holland,  they  meditated  a  removal  to 
America,  becaufe  they  judged  it  unfafe  to  educate 
their  children  in  a  country,  where  the  day  devoted 
by  Chriftiarts  to  religious  reft,  was  treated,  by  too 
many  of  the  inhabitants,  as  a  day  of  levity  and 
diverfion.  The  other  motives,  which  induced  them 
to  emigrate  to  America  were,  to  preferve  the  mo- 
rals of  the  youth  j  to  prevent  them  from  leav- 
ing their  parents,  and  engaging  in  bufmefs  un- 
friendly to  religion,  from  want  of  employment  at 
home  ;  to  avoid  the  inconvenience  of  incorporat- 
ing with  the  Dutch  ;  to  lay  a  foundation  for  pro- 
pagating the  gofpel  in  the  remote  parts  of  the 
world  ;  and,  by  feparating  from  all  the  exifting 
eftablifhments  in  Europe,  to  form  the  model  of  a 
pure  church,  free  from  the  admixture  of  human 
additions ;  and  a  fyftem  of  civil  policy  unfettered 
by  the  arbitrary  inftitutions  of  the  old  world.  J 

As  the  new  world  appeared  the  proper  thea- 
tre for  the  execution  of  their  defigns,  after  ferious 
and  repeated  addreffes  to  Heaven  for  direction, 
they  refolved  to  crofs  the  Atlantic.  They  appli- 

J  Print  f 4  Chrowhycal  Htfory  cfNtiv  England,  Vol.  L  j>.  82. 


*4  HISTORY    OF 

1608.  ed  to  the  Virginia  company  for  permiffion  to  ef- 
^"^  tablilh  themfelves  in  America  within  their  limits, 
and  petitioned  King  James  to  allow  them  liberty 
of  confcience. 

THE  Virginia  company  freely  confented  to  give 
them  a  patent,  with  as  ample  privileges  as  were 
in  their  power  to  grant.  But  fuch  was  the  pre- 
vailing bigotry  of  the  age,  that  the  folicitations  of 
fome  of  the  moft  refpectable  characters  in  the  king- 
dom  could  not  prevail  on  the  King  and  Bimops 
to  allow  the  refugees  liberty  of  confcience  under 
the  royal  feal.  His  Majefty,  however,  at  lad 
gave  private  affurance,  that  they  mould  live  un- 
molefled,  provided  they  behaved  peaceably,  but 
perfifted  in  refuting  to  tolerate  them  by  public  au- 
thority. The  hope  that  the  diftance  of  their  fitua- 
tion  would  fecure  them  from  the  jurifdiction  of 
ecclefiaftical  courts,  induced  them,  notwithftand- 
ing,  to  put  their  plan  in  execution  ;  and,  after 
long  attendance,  much  expence,  and  labor,  they 
obtained  a  patent.f 

1620-  WHILST  pieparations  were  making  for  the  de- 
parture  of  the  adventurers  for  New-England,  a 
day  was  appointed  for  folemn  prayer,  on  which 
occafion  Mr.  Robinfon,  in  a  difcourfe  from  the 
iftof  Samuel,  xxiii.  3 — 4,  endeavoured  to  difpel 
their  apprehenfions,  and  infpire  them  with  Chrif- 
tian  fortitude.  As  it  was  not  convenient  for  all 
to  remove  at  firft,  the  majority,  with  their  paf- 

•f-  Mather's  Magnolia,  Book  1.  p.  6. 


NEW. ENGLAND.  15 

tor,  concluded  to  remain  for  the  prefent  in  Ley-  1620. 
den.  Mr.  John  Brewfter,  affiftant  to  Mr.  Rob- 
infon,  was  chofen  to  perform  minifterial  offices 
to  the  firft  adventurers.  Two  fhips  were  prepared, 
one  of  which  was  fitted  out  in  Holland,  the  other 
hired  in  London.  When  the  time  of  feparation 
drew  nigh,  their  paftor  preached  a  farewell  dif- 
courfe  from  Ezra  viii.  21.  A  large  concourfe  of 
friends  from  Leyden  and  Amfterdam  accompanied 
the  emigrants  to  the  fhip,  which  lay  at  Delft-Ha- 
ven. The  night  was  fpent  in  fervent  and  affec- 
tionate prayers,  and  in  that  pathetic  intercourfe 
of  foul,  which  the  feeling  heart  can  better  con- 
ceive than  defcribe.  The  afFe&ing  fcene  drew 
tears  even  from  the  eyes  of  (hangers.  When  the 
period,  in  which  the  voyagers  were  about  to  depart, 
arrived,  they  all,  with  their  beloved  paftor,  fell 
on  their  knees,  and,  with  eyes,  hands  and  hearts 
raifed  to  heaven,  fervently  commended  their  ad- 
venturing brethren  to  the  bleffing  of  the  Lord*v 
Thus,  after  mutual  embraces,  accompanied  with 
many  tears,  they  bade  a  long,  and  to  many  of 
them  a  final  adieu.f 

ON  the  22d  of  July,  they  failed  for  Southamp- 
ton, where  they  met  the  fhip  from  London,  with 
the  reft  of  the  emigrants. 

ON  the  5th  of  Auguft,  both  veflels  proceeded 
to  fea,  but  returned  twice  into  port,  on  account 
of  defects  in  the  one  from  Delft,  which  was  dif- 
miffed. 

•  ft  Prime's  Chronology >  Vol.  L  /.  66s 


ifi  HISTORY    Otf 

1620*      AN  ardent  defire  of  enjoying  religious  li 

finally  overcame  all  difficulties.  A  company  of  an 
hundred  and  one  perfons  betook  themfelves  to  the! 
London  fhip,  and  failed  from  Plymouth  the  6th 
of  September.  After  many  delays,  difficulties  and 
dangers,  they  made  Cape-Cod  on  the  pth  of  No- 
vember, at  break  of  day,  and  entered  the  harbor* 
on  the  i  oth* 

IT  was  their  intention  to  fettle  at  the  mouth  of 
Hudfon's  River  ;  but  the  Dutch,  with  the  view  of 
planting  a  colony  in  that  place,  bribed  the  pilot 
to  conduct  tliem  to  thefe  northern  coafts,  and 
then,  under  various  pretences,  to  difcourage  thetn 
from  profecuting  their  former  plan.* 

As  they  were  not  within  the  limits  of  their  pa- 
tent from  the  Virginia  company,  they  faw  the 
neceffity  of  eftabliihing  a  feparate  government  for 
themfelves.  Accordingly,  having  offered  their  de- 
vout and  ardent  acknowledgments  to  God  for 
their  fafe  arrival,  they  formed  themfelves  into  a 
body  politic,  under  the  crown  of  England,  whilft 
on  board,  for  the  purpofe  of  eflablilhing  "  juft 
and  equal  laws,  oidinances,  acts,  conftitutions 
and  offices."  On  the  loth  of  November  the  ad- 
venturers fubfcribed  this  contract,  thereby  making 
it  the  bafis  of  their  government.  They  chofe 
Mr.  John  Carver,  a  gentleman  of  piety  and  ap- 
proved abilities,  to  be  their  governor  the  firfl 
year  \  and  the  practice  of  an  annual  election  con- 

New -England's  Memorial,  /;  13* 


NEW. EN  GLAND.  17 

tmued  unchanged  during  the  exiftence   of  their  1620. 
government.* 

THE  firft  objeel:  of  the  emigrants,  after  difem- 
barkation,  was  to  fix  on  a  convenient  place  for 
fettlement.  In  this  attempt  they  were  obliged  to 
encounter  numerous  difficulties,  and  to  fuffer 
incredible  hardfhips.  Many  of  them  were  fick  in 
confequence  of  the  fatigues  of  a  long  voyage  ; 
their  provifions  were  bad  ;  the  feafon  was  un- 
commonly cold  ;  the  Indians,  though  afterwards 
friendly,  were  now  hoflile,  and  the  adventurers 
were  unacquainted  with  the  coaft.  Thefe  difficul- 
ties they  fur  mounted,  and  on  the  31(1  of  De- 
cember were  all  fafely  landed  at  a  place,  which 
they  called  Plymouth,  in  grateful  remembrance  of 
the  laft  town  they  left  in  their  native  country.! 

THE  hiftorians  of  New-England  relate  two 
remarkable  events,  which  wonderfully  facilitated 
the  fettlement  of  Plymouth  and  Maffachufetts. 
The  one  was  a  war  begun  by  the  Tarratenes,  a 
nation  who  refided  eaftward  of  Penobfcot.  Thefe 
formidable  people  furprifed  the  chief  fachem  at  his 
head-quarters,  and  deftroyed  him  with  all  his  fam- 
ily ;  upon  which  all  the  other  fachems,  who  were 
fubordinate  to  him,  contended  among  themfelves 
for  the  fovereignty  ;  and  in  thefe  diffenfions  many 
of  them,  as  well  as  their  unhappy  people  perifhed.J 
The  other  was  a  mortal  and  contagious  diftemper 

*   Mather,   B.  I.  p.  8. 

f    Morlef  Geography,   Vol.  1.  p.     344.. 

%  Gookim*  Hijiorical  Collection^  p.  148; 


iS  HISTORY     OF 

1620.  which  prevailed  among  the  Indians  two  or 

years  previoufly  to  the  arrival  of  the  Englifh  at 
Plymouth,  and  proved  fatal  to  fuch  numbers, 
fhatfome  tribes  were  almoft  extinft.  The  ex- 
tent of  this  peftilence  was  between  Penobfcot  int 
the  eaft,  and  Narraganfet  in  the  weft.  Thefe  two 
tribes  efcaped,  while  th&  intermediate  people  wers 
•wafted  and  deftrfoyed.*" 

THE  prbfpefts  aftd  iituation  of  the  "Plymouth 
fettlers    were   gloomy   beyond   expreflion.      The 
whole  corhpany,  which  landed  confifted  of  but  one 
Hundred  and  one  fouls.     They  were   three  thoir- 
farid  miles  from  their  native  country,  with  a  dreary 
winter  in  profpeft,  in"  an  uncultivated  wildernefsj 
furrounded  with  hoftile  barbarians,  and  without 
any  hope  of  human  fuccoiir.     Their  only  civilis- 
ed neighbors  were  a  French1  fettlement  at  Port- 
Royal,  and  an  Englifn  fettlement  at  Virginia  ;  the 
neareft  of  which  was  five  hundred  miles  diftanr, 
much  too  remote  to  afford  a  hope  of  relief  in  a 
time  of  danger  or  famine.     To  obtain  a  fupply  of 
provifions  by  cultivating  the  ftubborn  foil  requir- 
ed an  immenfity  of  previous  labor,  and  was,  at 
beft,  a  diftant  and   uncertain  dependence.     They 
were  denied  the  aid  or  favor  of  the  court  of  Eng- 
land— without  a  patent — without  a  public  promife 
of  a  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their  religious  liber- 
ties.    In  this  melancholy  fituation,    forty-five  of 
their  number  died  before  the   opening  of  the  ne.\t 
fpring,  of  diforders  occafioned   by   their   tedious 

*   Marten's  Memorial,   p.  18,  19,    2O.     Belknafs   Amtricax 
Biography,  VoL  /.  p.    358. 


NEW -ENGLAND.  19 

-voyage,    with    infufficient  accommodations,    and  1620. 
their  uncommon  exertions  and  fatigues.* 

THE  new  colony  fupported  thefe  complicated 
hardships  with  heroic  fortitude.  To  enjoy  full  lib- 
erty to  worfhip  God,  according  to  the  dilates  of 
their  confciences,  was  efteemed  by  them  the  .great- 
eft  of  bleffings.  And  the  religious  fervor,  which 
induced  them  to  abandon  their  native  country  for- 
tified their  minds,  and  enabled  them  to  furmount 
every  difficulty,  which  could  prove  their  patience, 
or  evince  jtheir  firmnefs. 

To  their  unfpeakable  fatisfaclion,  their  affociates 
in  England  fent  them  a  fupply  of  neceifaries,  and 
a  reinforcement  of  colonifts  the  fubfequent  year.f 

THE  prudent,    friendly  and  upright  conduct  of  1621. 
the  Plymouth  fettlers  towards  .the  natives  fecured 
their  friendfhip  and  alliance.     As  early  as  March 
Maffaffoiet,  one  of  the  mo  ft  powerful  fagamores 
of  the  neighboring  Indians,  with  fixty  attendants, 
paid  them  "a  vifit,  and  entered  into  a  treaty  of 
peace  and  amity.     They   reciprocally  agreed,  to 
avoid  injuries,  to  punifh  offenders,  to  reftore  ftolen 
goods,  to  afford  mutual  afliftance  in  all  juftifiable 
wars,  to  promote   peace  among  their  neighbors, 
&c.     Maflaffoiet,  and  his  fucceflbrs,   for  fifty  years 
inviolably  obferved  this  treaty.     His  example  was 
followed  by  others.     On  the   131!!  of  September 
nine  facheins  declared  allegiance  to  King  James. 
Mafiaffoiet  and  many  of  his  fub-fachems,  who  in- 
habited round   the  bays   of  Plymouth  and  Maffa, 

*   Prin;is  Chronology,  Vol<  L  p.  98. 
' 'Jmlmtrf  PQtititai  dnnalst  /».    88. 


to  HISTORYOF 

T62r.  chufetts,  fubfcribed  a  writing,  acknowledging  fub- 
jection  to  the  king  of  England.* 

THE  Plymotheans  early  agreed,  and  purchafed 
a  right  to  the  lands,  which  they  cultivated  from  the 
Indian  proprietors.! 

FOR  fevt'ral  years  after  their  arrival  the  whole 
property  of  the  colony  was  in  common,  from 
which  every  perfon  was  furnimed  with  neceflary 
articles.  In  the  beginning  of  each  year  a  certain 
quantity  of  land  was  fele&ed  for  planting,  and 
their  proportion  of  labor  was  affigned  to  each  one.| 

AT  the  clofe  of  the  year  1624  the  plantation 
confided  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  perfons. 
They  had  built  a  town  'confiding  of  thirty-two, 
dwelling  houfes,  erected  a  citadel  for  its  defence, 
and  laid  out  farms  for  its  fupport.jj 

THE  following  year  the  riew  colony  receive^ 
the  melancholy  intelligence  of  the  death  of  the. 
Rev.  Mr.  Robinfon,  who  died  at  Leyden  in  the. 
month  of  March,  in  the  5oth  year  of  his  age. 
The  character  of  this  excellent  man,  who  was  dif- 
tinguifhed  both  by  his  natural  abilities  and  art 
highly  cultivated  mind,  was  greatly  dignified  by 
the  mild  and  amiable  virtues  of  Chiiftianity.  Fie 
poffeffed  a  liberality  of  fentiment  which  was  un- 
common for  the  age,  in  which  he  lived. §  He  was; 

*   Mother,  B'j^k  /.  p    JO. 

•f-  Declarations  reflecting   the  proceedings  of  the  government  cf. 
Plymouth. 

J   Hutchinfon's  Hijlory  ofMafiackuJetts  Bay,  Vol.  //,  p,  474. 
||  Chalmsr,  ^.89. 

§    bet  Robinfon  s  farewell  charge  to  his  focr,  when   embarking 
for  dmericat  in  Neafj  li:jhry  of  AVTt»-£#g /«//«;,  >"c,l.  I  p.  84. 


NE  W- ENGLAND.  *i 

revered  and  efleemed  by  the  Dutch  divines,  vene-  1625. 
rated  and  beloved  by  his  people  ;  and  the  harmo-  ******* 
ny  which  fubfifted  between  them  was  perfect  ancj 
uninterrupted.  His  death  was  greatly  lamented 
by  the  people  at  PIymouth,^who  were  flattering 
themfelves  with  the  plealing  hope  of  his  fpeedy  ar- 
rival in  New-England.  In,  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1629,  they  chofe  Mr.  Ralph  Smith  for  their 
paftor.  Previoufly  to  his  ordination,  Mr.  Brewf- 
ter,  who  had  been  ruling  elder  to  the  church  at 
Leyden,  performed  all  the  minifterial  offices  among 
them,  except  adminiflenng  the  facraments. 

AFTER  the  death  of  Mr.  Robinfon,  another 
part  of  his  congregation  joined  their  brethren  in 
America. 

WHEN  the  plantation  amounted  to  about  three  1630, 
hundred  perfons,  they  obtained  a  patent  from  the 
council  of  Plymouth.     By  this  grant  their  lands 
were  fecured  againfl  all  Englifh  claims.* 

IT  is  a  diftinguifhed  trait  in  the  fettlements  of 
New-England,  that  they  were  eftablifhed  from  re- 
ligious motives,  by  perfons  of  piety  and  inform- 
ation. 

"^HE  Plymotheans  were  a  plain,  induftrious, 
conscientious  and  pious  people.  Though  their 
piety  was  fervent,  yet  it  was  alfo  rational.,  and 
difpofed  them  to  a  ftricl:  obfervance  of  the  moral 
and  focial  duties.  The  leading  characters  among 
them  were  men  of  fuperior  abilities  and  undaunt- 
ed fortitude.  The  refpe&able  names  of  Carver, 

*  Mother,  Book  I.  p.  12. 


its  HISTORY    OF 

£.630.  Bradford,  Window,  Prince  and   others,  are  i 
m0rtalized  in  the  annals  of  New-England. 

RESECTING  their  civil  principles,  an  ardent 
love  of  liberty,  an  unfhaken  attachment  to  the 
rights  of  men,  wjtb  £  defire  to  tranfmit  them  to 
their  latefl  pofterity,  were  the  principles,  which  gov- 
erned their  condud.* 

THEY  made  the  general  laws  of  England  their 
rule  of  government,  and  never  eftablifhed  a  dif- 
tmcl  code  for  themfelves.  They  added,  however, 
£ich  municipal  laws  as  were,  from  time  to  time, 
found  necefTary  to  regulate  new  and  emergent 
cafes,  which  were  unprovided  for  by  the  common, 
and  ftatute  laws  of  England 

DURING  the  infancy  of  the  colony,  the  whole 
body  of  male  inhabitants  were  frequently  affem- 
bled,  to  determine  affairs  both  legiilative  and  ju- 
dicial. When  their  incre$fe  rendered  this  method 
impracticable,  the  governor  and  affiftants  were  the 
fupreme  judiciary  power,  and  fole  in  judging  high 
offences.  Crimes  of  lefs  magnitude  were  cognizr 
able  before  inferior  courts  and  fmgle  magiftrates  j 
and  in  civil  matters  appeals  could  be  made  from 
inferior  jurifdi&ions  to  the  fupreme.  In  the  year 
1639,  they  eftablifhed  a  houfe  of  reprefentatives, 
compofed  of  deputies  from  the  feveral  towns.f 

As  the  profeffed  defign  of  the  fettlement  of  the 
colony  was  the  advancement  of  religion,  their 

*    See  an   account  of  the  church  in  Plymouth,  in   the  Hiflorieaj 
Collections  for  the  year  1794-     See  alfo  Dr.  Robbint 
ty  Scrmw  preached  in  Plymouth,  1796. 

.,  VoL  //  />.  467,     CLulmer,  p.  88. 


N'E  tV.ENGL  Atf0.  23; 

principal  objecl  was  to  form  churches  on  what  1630. 
they  fuppofed  to  be  the  gofpel  plan.  Part  of  the 
Plymouth  fettkrs  had  imbibed  the  opinions  of  the 
Brownifts  ;  but  the  inftru&ions  of  Mr.  Robinfon 
feffened  their  attachment  to  their  former  fenti- 
ments,  and  they  embraced  the  congregational  fyf- 
tem,  which  was  maintained  by  this  pious  and  be- 
nevolent divine.  Tlley  were  of  opinion,  that  no 
churches  or  church  officers  had  any  power  to  con- 
troul  other  churches  or  officers  ;  and  th^t  all  church 
members  had  equal  rights  and  privileges.  Their 
church  officers  were  paftors,  ruling  elders  and: 
deacons.  In  do&rm-a-l  points  they  agreed  with  the 
articles  of  the  church  of  England,  which  arc 
ffcrietly  Calvinian.* 

AGREE ARLY  to- the  prevailing  prejudices  of  tfrfe 
age  in  which  they  lived,  they  aiferted  the  neceffi- 
ty  of  uniformity  in  religious  worlhip.  Yet,  how- 
ever rigid  the  Plymotheans  might  have  been  at 
their  frrfHeparatioa  from  the  church  of  England, 
they  never  difcovered  fo  great  a  degree  of  intoler- 
ance as,=  at  a  fubfequent  period,  was  exhibited  i& 
the  Maflachufetts  colony.f 

*  Prince  s  Chr analogy >  Vol.  L  p.  g$* 
f  Hut  chin/on,-  Vol*  /A  ^.478. 

\ 


24  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  IT 


CHAPTER    II. 

Perfection  in  England.     Settlement  of  the  Mafia* 
chufetts  colony.     A   charier  obtained.     Salem   is 
founded,  and  a  church  incorporated.     Large  ad- 
ditions  are  made  to  the  plantation.     Sufferings   of 
the  emigrants.     Bojion  founded.     Correfp-ondcnce 
fettled  between  Plymouth  and  Maffachufctts.  Great 
numbers  arrive  from  England.     Of  the  Maffa+ 
chufetts  government*     Of  the  religion  of  the  firjl 
fettle  rs  of  that  colony.     Their  char  after. 

1 630  \VH  I L  S  T  the  fir  ft  fettlers  of  New- 

England  were  encountering  various  difficulties, 
their  brethren,  the  Puritans,  in  England  were  fuf- 
fering  a  fevere  perfecution.  Under  the  reign  of 
Charles  I.  the  government  of  the  church  was 
committed  to  Archbifliop  Laud,  a  man  of  warm 
paflions  and  ftrorig  prejudices.  Through  his  in- 
fluence the  royal  prerogative  was  drained  to  the 
higheft  defpotifm.  He  was  ambitious  in  his  ad- 
miniftration  to  imitate  the  fplendor  of  the  church 
of  Rome.  He  entertained  exalted  ideas  of  the 
authority  of  the  ecclefiaftical  hierarchy,  and  was 
determined  to  fupport  it  by  coercive  meafures. 
His  averfion  to  the  Puritans  impelled  him  to  pro- 
fecute  them  with  rigorous  feverity.  In  the  high 
commiffion  court  and  ftar-chamber  they  were  im- 


NEW-ENGLAND.  25 

prifoned,  fined  and  banifhed,  in  an  arbitrary  and 
illegal  manner.* 

"  THE  Laudean  perfecution,  which  caufed  the 
deftru&lon  of  thoufands  in  England,  proved  to  be 
a  principle  of  life  and  vigor  to  the  infant  fettle- 
ments  in  America."!  The  oppreflive  government, 
which  was  exercifed  in  England,  both  in  church 
and  (late,  induced  feveral  men  of  eminence  to 
meditate  a  removal  to  America,  if  the  .meafures 
they  purfued  for  eftablifhing  civil  and  religious  lib- 
erty in  their  native  country  fhould  prove  abortive. 
For  this  purpofe,  they  folicited  and  obtained  grants 
of  land  in  New-England,  and  were  affiduoufly  en- 
gaged in  fettling  them.  Among  thefe  patentees 
were  the  Lords  Brook,  Say  and  Seal,  the  Pel- 
hams,  the  Hampdens,  and  the  Pyms ;  names 
which  have  fmce  been  greatly  diftinguilhed  in  the 
annals  of  their  country. 

ACTUATED  by  religious  motives,  a  fmall  party  1627. 
emigiated  from  the  weft  of  England,  under  the 
conducl  of  Mr.  Roger  Conant.  They  firft  came 
to  Plymouth,  and,  upon  their  removal  from 
thence,  in  the  year  1626,  they  fettled  on  that 
part  of  the  American  coaft,  which  afterwards  ac- 
quired the  name  of  Salem.  The  various  difficulties 
which  they  were  obliged  to  encounter  induced  them 
to  form  the  defign  of  abandoning  their  fettlement, 
and  returning  to  England.  In  the  mean  time  the 
Rev.  Mr.  White,  minifter  of  Dorchefter,  had 

*  See  Rapins  Hi/toy  of  England*  and   Neat's   HiJIoty  of  tbi 
Puritans*  -j-  Mor/es  Geography*. 


26  HISTORY    OF 

1627.  projected  an-afylum  for  the  filenced  Non-Confofm^- 
^"^  lit  clergy  in  MafTachufetts-Bay.     In  order  to  facil- 
itate his  defign,  he  ufed  all  his  influence  to  per- 
fuade  Mr.  Conant  and  his  party  to  remain,  prom- 
ifing  to  fend  them  fpeediiy'  a  patent,  necefifaries 
and  friends.     Relying  on  thefe  affurances,    and 
encouraged  under  their  prefent  hardfliips  by  the 
foft  perfualions  of  hope,  they  determined  to  await 
the  event.* 

MR.  White  engaged  a  number  of  influential 
characters  to  intereft  themfelves  in  his  plan.  On 
the  1 9th  of  March,  Sir  Henry  Rofwel,  and  feve- 
ral  other  gentlemen,  who  dwelt  about  Dorchefter, 
received  a  patent  of  MafTachufeUs-Bay  from  the 
council  of  Plymouth. 

1628.  THESE  gentlemen  petitioned  for  a  royal   char- 
fer,  under  the  idea  that  their  exiftence  and  powers 
would  be  thereby  fecured  and  promoted.     They 
fucceeded ;    and  a  charter  of  incorporation  was 
granted  by  King  Charles  I.  conflituting  them  a 
body  politic,  by  the  name  of  ec  the  Governor  and 
Company  of  the  Maflfachufetts-Bay,  in  New-Eng- 
land," with  as  ample  powers  as  any  other  corpo- 
ration in  the  realm  of  England.     The  patent  re- 
cited the  grant  of  American  territory  to  the  coun- 
cil  of  Plymouth  in    1620.     It  re-granted  Mafla- 
chufetts-Bay  to   Sir  Henry  Rofwel    and  others. 
The  whole  executive  power  of  the  corporation  was 
inverted  in  a  governor,  deputy-governor,  and  eigh- 
teen affiftants  j  and,  until  the  annual  eleclion  of 

*  Cb aimer,  p.  288, 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  27 

the  company  could  commence,  the  governor,  de-  1628. 
,puty -governor,  and  eighteen  affiftants  were  fpeci- 
fied.  The  governor  and  feven  or  more  affiftants 
were  authorized  to  meet  in  monthly  courts,  for 
difpatching  fuch  bufinefs,  as  concerned  the  compa- 
ny or  fettlement.  But  the  legiflative  powers  of 
the  corporation  were  vefled  in  a  more  popular  af~ 
fembly,  compofed  of  the  governor,  deputy-govern- 
cr,  the  affiftants'  and  freemen  of  the  company. 
This  afiembly,  to  be  convened  on  the  laft  Wednef- 
•day  of  each  of  the  four  annual  terms,  by  the  title 
of  the  general  court,  was  empowered  to  enacl  laws 
and  ordinances  for  the  good  of  the  body  politic, 
and  the  government  of  ihe  plantation,  and  its  in- 
habitants, provided  they  mould  not  be  repugnant 
to  the  laws  and  ftatutes  of  England.  This  aflem- 
bly  was  empowered  to  elect  their  governor,  depu- 
ty-governor, and  other  neceflary  officers,  and  to 
confer  the  freedom  of  the  company.  The  compa- 
ny was  allowed  to  tranfport  perfons,  merchandize, 
weapons,  &c.  to  New-England,  exempt  from  du- 
ty, for  the  term  of  feven  years  ;  and  emigrants 
were  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  Englifhmen. 
Such  are  the  general  outlines  of  the  charter.* 

ABOUT  the  time  in  which  the  patent  of  Maffachu- 
fetts  received  the  royal  confirmation,  Captain  John 
Endicot,  with  one  hundred  perfons,  was  fent  over 
by  the  patentees,  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  fet- 
tlement of  a  permanent  colony  in  that  part  of 

*  See  Maffachtfetts  Colony  Charter -,  in  Hutdinfuns    CoUefihz 
p.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7. 


28  HISTORY     OF 

1628.  New-England.     After  their  arrival,  they  began  a 
^^^  fettlement,  which  they  named  Salem.     This  was 

the  firft  town  in  Maffachufetts,  the  fecond  in  New- 
England. 

1629.  THE  fubfequent   year,    two   hundred  perfons 
came  over  and  joined  Mr.  Endicot's  colony.    Soon 
after   an  Hundred  of  the  planters  removed,  and 
fettled  Charleftown.* 

AGREEABLY  to  the  profeffed  defign  of  their 
emigration,  the  colony  made  it  their  primary  con- 
cern  to  form  a  church  at  Salem,  upon  a  fimilar 
plan  of  order  and  difcipline  with  that  of  their 
brethren  at  Plymouth.  The  church  of  Plymouth 
was  convoked  to  be  prefent  by  their  meffengers  at 
the  ordination  of  MefTrs.  Sheltcn  and  Higginfon. 
The  day  was  fpent  in  fading  and  prayer.  Thirty 
perfons,  who  djfired  to  join  the  communion,  pro- 
feifed  their  afifeat  to  a  confeffion  of  faith  prepared  by 
Mr.  Higginfon,  and  fubfcribed  a  covenant  drawn  up 
by  the  fame  gentleman.  Meflrs.  Shelton  and  Hig- 
ginfon were  then  ordained  pallor  and  teacher.  The 
Plymouth  mefiengers  gave  the  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowfhip,  by  which  ceremony  the  two  churches 
profeffed  mutual  affection  and  communion.! 

SEVERAL  gentlemen  of  fortune  and  diftinguim- 
cd  reputation  made  propofals  to  the  Maflachufetts 
company  for  fettling  with  their  families  in  Ameri- 
ca, on  condition  that  the  government  fhould  be 
transferred  to  the  inhabitant*,  and  not  continued 
in  the  hands  of  the  company  in  London.  Mr. 

on)  Vol.  L  p.  9,  f  Mailer  >  j>.  1 8,   19. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  29 

Matthew  Craddock,  the  governor,  communicated  1629. 
this  propofal  to  the  general  court.  After  fome  ^^ 
debate,  their  plan  was  accepted,  and  the  company 
proceeded  to  a  new  election  of  officers,  who  were 
to  repair  to  and  fettle  in  New-England.  John 
Winthrop,  Efq.  of  Groton,  in  Suffolk,  a  gentle- 
man of  diftinguifhed  piety  and  ability,  was  chofen 
governor.  Mr.  Thomas  Dudley  was  elected  depu- 
ty-governor ;  and  other  worthy  characters  were 
chofen  for  their  council.  The  bufmefs  of  trans- 
ferring the  patent  and  corporation,  and  procuring 
new  fettlers,  was  profecuted  with  vigor.* 

PREVIOUSLY  to  leaving  their  native  country,  1630. 
the  new  adventurers  agreed  upon  a  refpe&ful  ad- 
drefs  to  their  brethren  of  the  church  of  England. 
Their  object  was  to  remove,  prejudices,  conciliate 
the  minds  of  the  difaffected,  and  recommend  them- 
felves  and  their  expedition  to  the  favorable  regards 
of  ferious  Chriftians  of  the  Epifcopal  perfuafion. 
In  this  addrefs  they  defired  to  be  called  their  breth- 
ren ;  they  requefted  their  prayers  ;  and,  in  ener- 
gstic  language,  profefled  the  moft  affectionate  re- 
gard for  their  welfare.! 

ON  the  1 2th  of  June,  the  company  arrived  at 
Salem,  with  the  governor,  deputy-governor,  af- 
fiftants  and  charter.  Before  the  clofe  of  the  year 
the  number  of  pafTengers  amounted  to  feventeen 
hundred.  In  this  and  the  preceding  year  two 
thoufand  planters  arrived  in  New-England.  T'hefe 
fettled  about  nine  or  ten  towns  and  villages. 

*   Hutckinjon,  Vol.  1.  p>  i  2,    13,    14.     Wintkrofs  Journal  * 
f  See  this  addrefi  in  Hutchison's  Hijlory,  Vol.  /./.  487, 


5-0  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1630.  MANY  of  the  firfl  fettlers  of  MafTachufetts  were 
poffeffed  of  large  fortunes  in  their  native  country^ 
and  enjoyed  the  elegant  accommodations  of  life. 
The  finking  contrafl:  between  their  former  eafe 
and  affluence,  and  the  hardihips  they  now  endured, 
muft  have  augmented  their  diftrefs.  They  were 
obliged  to  difpofe  of  their  large  and  -valuable  ef- 
tates  to  make  provifion  for  their  enterprise.  The 
rigor  of  the  climate,  together  with  the  fatigues  and 
exertions  unavoidable  in  a  new  fettlement,  occa- 
fioned  difeafes,  which  proved  fatal  to  a  large  num- 
ber the  firft  winter  after  their  arrival.  Their  flock 
of  provifions  falling  fhort,  the  dreadful  apprehen- 
fion  of  perifhing  by  famine  was  added  to  their 
Other  calamities.* 

TOWARDS  the  clofe  of  the  year  the  colony  of 
Charleflown  removed  to  a  peninfula,  to  which 
they  gave  the  name  of  Boflon,  from  a  town  in 
Lincolnfhire,  in  England,  the  native  refidence  of 
fome  of  the  firft  fettlers,  and  from  whence  they 
expecled  the  Rev,  John  Cotton,  a  celebrated  Puri- 
tan clergyman.  They  eflablifhed  a  civil  govern- 
ment, and  congregational  church,  over  which  the 
Rev.  John  Wilfon  officiated  as  the  firfl  paftor. 

TH&  fubfequent  fummer  a  number  ofpaffengers 
arrived  from  England,  among  whom  was  the  Rev. 
John  Elliot.  This  eminent  divine  fpent  his  firfl 
year  in  Boflon,  and  performed  miniflerial  of- 
fices to  the  church  in  that  place,  in  the  abfence 
pf  Mr.  Wilfon,  then  on  a  voyage  to  England,  A 

*  flutcbinfon,  Fsl.  L  />,  19. 


HE  W.ENGLAND.  $* 

number  of  his  particular  friends  having  formed  a  1631* 
fettlement,    and  colle&ed  a  church,    in  a  town 
which  they  called  Roxbury,  he  was  ordained  their 
paflor  the  year  after  his  arrival  in  New-England.* 

IN  order  to  eftablilh  a  union  between  the  colo-  1632. 
iries,  the  governor,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Wilfon,  u'v%/ 
and  other  gentlemen,  \valked  forty  miles  through 
the  woods  as  far  as  Plymouth,     Mr.  Bradford, 
the  governor  of  Plymouth,  received  them  with 
gieat  refpect ;  and  the  interview  produced   a  per- 
manent friendfhip  between  the  two  plantations. 

IN  the  three   following   years  great   additions   1633 
were  made  to  the  Maflachufetts  colony.     Among     to 
which   were'feveral  famous   Non-Conformift  di-i635« 
vines,  viz.  the  Rev.  John  Cotton,  Thomas  Hook- 
er, and  Samuel  Stone.     Mr.  Cotton  was  immedi* 
ately  chofen  afliftant   to  Mr.  Wilfon,  in  Bofton, 
and  continued  with  him  till  his  death.     Mr.  Hook- 
er was  eleded  paflor  of  a  church  in  Newtown, 
fmce  called  Cambridge,  and  Mr.  Stone  was  his  af- 
fiftant.     The  fettlement  of  thefe  celebrated  clergy- 
men, joined  with  the  unrelenting  feverity  of  Arch- 
bifhop  Laud's  adminiftration,  produced  great  emi- 
grations.    New  plantations  were  formed,  and  con- 
gregational churches  eftablifhed  in  various  parts  of 
the  country.f 

SIR  Henry  Vane,  who  afterwards  acted  fo  con- 
fpicuous  a  part  in  his  native  country,  was  among 
the  paffengers  who  arrived  at  this  period.  In  com- 
pliment to  his  talents  and  family,  he  was  chofea 
governor  the  fubfequent  year.J 

*  Matbtr>  Book  III.  /,  175.     f  Ibid.     J  Ckalmer,  p.  57.' 


32  HISTORY    OF 

1635.  THE  fettlers  of  MafTachufetts  purchafed  their 
lands  of  the  native  proprietors,  and  gave  what  was 
deemed  by  thofe  favages  an  adequate  compenfa- 
tion.  The  foil  was  to  them  of  fmall  value,  as 
they  fubfilted  chiefly  by  hunting,  and  did  not  pof- 
fefs  that  patient  induitry,  which  agriculture  re- 
quires. In  the  year  1633,  the  colony  palled  an 
act,  prohibiting  the  purchafe  of  the  lands  from 
the  natives,  without  having  previoufly  obtained  a 
licence  from  government.* 

AFTER  the  governor   and   company   removed 
from  London  to  MatTachufetts,  the  change  of  place 
and  circumitances  induced  them  to   vary  in  cer- 
tain inflances  from    the    directions   of  the   char- 
ter.    "  They  apprehended    themfelves  fubject   to 
no   other  law  or  rule  of  government,   than  what 
arofe  from  natural  reafon  and  the  principles  of 
equity,  except  any  pofitive  rules  from  the  word  of 
God."t     Influential  characters  among  them  main- 
tained, that  birth  was  no  neceflary  caufe  of  fubjec- 
tion  ;  for  that  the  fubject  of  any  prince  or  ftate 
had  a  natural  right  to  emigrate  to  any  other  ftate, 
or  quarter  of  the  world,  when  deprived  of  liberty 
of  confcience,  and  that  upon  fuch  removal  his  al- 
legiance ceafed.     They  called  their  own   a  volun- 
tary civil  fubjection,  arifing  merely  from  a  mutual 
compact  between  them  and  the  king,  founded  up- 
on the  charter.      They  acknowledged  that    this 
compact  obligated  them  not  to  be  fubject  to,  or 
feek  protection  from,  any  other  prince,   nor  to 

Wftory  of  the  Diftria  of  Maine,  p.  140. 


•}•  Hutckiafons  Litter  of  Deumlsr  7,  1762, 


INEW-ENGLAND.  33 

enact  laws  repugnant  to  thofe  of  England,  &c.  1635. 
On  the  other  hand,  they  maintained,  that  they 
were  to  be  governed  by  laws  made  by  thernfelves, 
and  byxofficers  of  their  own  electing.* 

WHEN  the  MafTachufetts  colony  completed  their 
fyftem  of  government,  inilead  of  making  the  laws 
of  England  the  foundation  of  their  code,  they  pre- 
ferred the  laws  of  Mofes.  They  alfo  created  a  re- 
prefentative  body  of  their  own  motion  in  UK  years 
after  the  grant  of  their  charter,  which  was  wholly 
filent  upon  fo  important  an  inftitution.  And  al- 
though it  gave  them  no  power  to  judge  and  deter- 
mine capital  offences,  the  judicatories  they  eftab- 
lilhed  affumed  this  act  of  fovereign  authority.  la 
the  fame  manner  they  fupplied  a  defect  of  author- 
ity to  erect  judicatories  for  the  probate  of  wills ; 
to  conftitute  courts  with  admiralty  jurifdittion  j  to 
Impofe  taxes  on  the  inhabitants,  and  to  create 
towns  and  other  bodies  corporate.! 

IN  1644,  the  general  courts  were  reduced  to 
two  in  a  year  ;  and  except  in  this,  and  a  few  other 
unimportant  circumftances,  the  government  con- 
tinued the  fame  until  the  people  were  deprived  of 
their  charter.J 

MOST  of  the  MaiTachufetts  fettlers  had,  while 
in  their  native  country,  lived  in  communion  with 
the  eftablifned  church.  The  rigorous  feverity  ufed 
to  enforce  ceremonies,  by  them  deemed  unlawful, 
occafioned  their  removal  to  New-England.  The 

*   Cordon  i  Hijlory  of  the  American  War,  Vol.  I.   p.    30. 
•f-    Minofs  Continuation  of  Hut  chin/on ,  p.   2O» 
;|;  Hut(bifi/on,  Vol.  11.  /».  3 . 
E 


34  HISTORY     O  F 

1635.  Maffachufeits  churches,  in  general,  were  formed 
^^  on  the  congregational  model,  and  maintained  Cal- 
vinian  doctrines.  The  colony  had  no  fettled  plan 
of  church  difcipline.  till  after  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Cotton,  whofe  opinion,  in  civil  and  facred  con- 
cerns, was  held  in  the  higheft  eftimation.  He 
gradually  modelled  all  their  church  adminiftra- 
tions,  and  determined  their  ecclefiaflical  coiiftitu- 
tions.** 

THIS  great  man  earneflly  pleaded,  "  that  the 
government  might  be  confidered  as  a  theocracy^ 
wherein  the  Lord  was  judge,  lawgiver,  and  king  ; 
that  the  laws  he  gave  Ilrael  might  be  adopted,  fo 
fat  as  they  were  of  moral  and  perpetual  equity  ; 
that  the  people  might  be  confidered  as  God's  peo- 
ple, in  covenant  with  him  ;  that  none  but  perfons 
of  approved  piety  and  eminent  abilities  mould  be 
chofen  rulers  ;•  that  the  clergy  mould  be  confulted 
in  all  matters  of  religion  ;  and  that  the  magiftrates 
mould  have  a  fu pel-intending  and  coercive  power 
over  the  churches. "f 

IN  confequence  of  the  union  thus  formed  be- 
tween the  church  and  ftate,  on  the  plan  of  the 
Jewijh  theocracy^  the  minifters  were  called  to  fit 
in  council,  and  give  their  advice  in  matters  of  re- 
ligion, and  cafes  of  confcience,  which  came  be- 
fore the  court,  and  without  them  they  never  pro- 
ceeded to  any  act  of  an  ecclefiaflical  nature.  As 
none  were  allowed  to  vote  in  the  eleclion  of  rulers 

*  Prince's  Cbrcnclcgy,  p.    285.       Woofs  New- England's  Prof- 
peft,  /-,  3.  f  Hutcbinfons  Colleflinn  of  Papers,  p.  162. 


NEW.  EN  GLAND.  35 

freemen,  and  freemen  mud  be  church  mem-  1635. 
bers  ;  and  as  none  could  be  admitted  into  .  tne 
church  but  by  the  elders,  who  firit  examined,  and 
then  propounded  them  to  the  brethren  for  their 
vote,  the  clergy  acquired  hereby  a  vaft  afcendency 
over  both  rulers  and  people,  and  had,  in  effect,  the 
keys  of  the  (late  as  well  as  the  church* in  their 
hands.  The  magiftrates,  on  the  other  hand,  re- 
gulated the  gathering  of  the  churches,  interpofed 
in  the  fettlement  and  difmiilion  of  miniflers,  arbi- 
trated in  ecclefiaftical  controverfies,  and  ccntroul- 
cd  fynodical  affemblies.  This  coercive  power  in 
the  magiftrates  was  deemed  abfolutely  neceiTary 
to  preferve  the  order  of  the  gofpel.* 

THE  rigorous  meafures  which,  agreeably  to 
thefe  principles,  were  ufed  to  enforce  colonial  uni- 
formity, and  the  effects  they  produced,  will  be  re- 
lated in  a  future  chapter. 

THOUGH  the  conduct  of  our  anceftors,  in  the 
application  of  the  power  of  the  civil  magiftrate  to 
religious  concerns,  was  fraught  with  error,  and 
the  liberal  fentiments  of  the  prefent  age  place  their 
errors  in  the  mod  confpicuous  point  of  view  ;  their 
memory  ought  ever  to  be  held  in  veneration. 
And  while  we  review  the  imperfections  which,  at 
prefent,  caft  a  made  over  their  characters,  we 
ought  to  recollect  thofe  virtues,  by  which  they 
gave  luftre  to  the  age  in  which  they  lived,  viz. 
their  ardent  love  of  liberty  when  tyranny  prevailed 
in  church  and  ftate ;  the  fortitude  with  which  they 
*  Belknap,  Vol.  L  p.  Si; 


II I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

facrlficed  eafe  and  opulence,  and  encountered  com- 
plicated hard/hips  in  order  to  enjoy  the  (acred 
rights  of  confcience  ;  their  care  to  lay  a  founda* 
tion  for  folid  learning,  and  eilabliilx  wife  and  ufe- 
ful  inilitutions  in  their  infant  flate  ,  the  immenfe 
pains  they  took  in  fettling  and  cultivating  their 
lands,  and  defending  the  country  againft  the  depre? 
dations  of  furrounding  Indians  $  and,  above  all? 
their  fupreme  regard  for  religion.  As  an  eminent 
Author  obferves,  "  Religious  to  fome  degree  of 
enthufiafm  it  may  be  admitted  they  were,  but  this 
can  be  no  peculiar  derogation  from  their  charac^ 
ter,  becaufe  it  was  at  that  time  aimed  the  univer- 
fal  character  not  only  of  England,  but  of  Chriften- 
dom.  Had  this,  however,  been  otherwife,  their 
enthufiafm,  confidering  the  principles,  on  which  it 
was  founded,  and  the  ends,  to  which  it  was  direct- 
ed, far  from  being  a  reproach,  was  greatly  to 
their  honor.  For  I  believe  it  will  be  found  uni- 
verfally  true,  that"  no  great  enterprize  for  the  hon- 
or and  happinefs  of  mankind  was  ever  achieved 
without  a  large  mixture  of  that  noble  infirmity. 
Whatever  imperfections  may  be  juftly  afcribed  to 
them,  which,  however,  are  as  few  as  any  mortals 
have  difcovered,  their  judgment  in  forming  their 
policy  was  founded  on  wile  and  benevolent  princi- 
ples ;  it  was  founded  on  revelation  and  reafon  too  j 
it  was  confident  with  the  beft,  grcateft  and  wifefl 
legiilators  of  antiquity."* 

'*  s:djiMQn:beC&aanaKdF*:!J»lLtv,t     £,J!cn  Gazette,  !/6^. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  37 

THE  MaiTachufetts  colony  rapidly  increafcd.  A 
dreary  wildernefs  in  the  fpace  of  a  few  years  had 
become  a  comfortable  habitation,  furnimed  with 
the  neceflaries  and  conveniencies  of  life.  It  is  rer 
markable  that  previouily  to  this  period,  all  the  at- 
tempts at  fettling  the  northern  patent,  upon  fecular 
views,  proved  abortive.  They  were  accompanied 
y/ith  fuch  public  difcouragement  as  would  probably 
have  loft  the  continent  to  England,  or  have  per- 
mitted only  the  fharing  of  it  with  the  other  Eu- 
ropean powers,  as  in  the  Weft-India  iflands,  had 
not  the  fpirit  of  religion  given  rife  tp  an  effe&ua} 
colonization* 


XXX 


HISTORY     OF 


CHAPTER    III. 

Of  the  fettlement  of  New-Hampfoire,  and  the  Diftriff 
of  Mains.  The  plantation  and  civil  government 
of  Connecticut  and  New-Haven.  Of  their  atten- 
tion to  the  promotion  of  learning  and  religion.  The 
religious  tenets  in  which  the  New-England fettlers 
were  agreed.  The  king  and  council  in  England 
prohibit  the  Puritans  from  embarking  for  America. 


w, 


H I  L  S  T  religious  principles  ani- 
mated the  fettlers  of  Plymouth  and  Maifachu- 
fetts  to  encounter  hardfhips  in  a  dreary  wildernefs, 
a  fpirit  of  enterprize  and  ambition  induced  others 
to  attempt  fettlements  in  different  parts  of  the 
new  world.  As  early  as  1622,  grants  of  land  had 
been  made  by  the  Plymouth  council  to  two  of 
their  mod  active  members,  viz.  Sir  Ferdinando 
Gorges,  and  Captain  John  Mafon.  The  fubfe- 
quent  year  they,  in  conjunction  with  fever al  Eng- 
lifh  merchants,  who  fliled  themfelves  "  the  com- 
pany  of  Laconia,"  attempted  the  eftablifhment  of 
a  colony  and  fifhery  at  the  river  Pifcataqua.  This 
was  the  beginning  of  the  fettlement  known  fmce 
by  the  name  of  New-Hampmire.* 

1629.  SEVERAL  years  after,  fome  of  the  fcattered 
planters  in  the  Bay  of  Malfachufetts  procured  a 
general  meeting  of  the  Indians  at  Squamfcot  falls, 

*  BJknap,  Vol.  I.  p.  10. 


NE  W-ENGL  AND.  t       39 

•u-here   they  obtained   from   the   Indian   fachems  1629, 
deeds  of  a  tradt  of  land  between  the  rivers  Pifcata-  v-'v%/ 
qua  and   Merrimak.*     Thefe   lands,  at   a  future 
period,  afforded  an  afylum  for  a  number  of  exiles 
whom  perfecution  had  driven  from  Maffachufetts. 

IN  this,  and  the  two  following  years,  the  Ply- 
mouth council  made  feveral  grants  of  the  lands  oa 
the  river  Pifcataqua  to  different  proprietors.  Dif- 
pirited  by  the  difficulties  they  were  obliged  to  en- 
counter, the  major  part  of  the  other  adventurers 
either  relinquifhed  their  defign,  or  fold  their  mares 
to  Mafon  and  Gorges,  who  were  more  fanguine 
than  the  reft,  and  became,  either  by  purchafe,  or 
tacit  confent  of  the  others,  the  principal,  if  not 
fole,  proprietors.  Thefe  gentlemen  renewed  their 
exertions  with  greater  vigor  ;  fent  over  a  frefh  fup- 
ply  of  fervants  and  materials  for  carrying  on  the 
fettlement ;  and  appointed  Francis  Williams,  a 
gentleman  of  good  fenfe  and  difcretion,  to  be 
their  governor. 

THE  new  fettlers  formed  themfelves  into  a  body  1634. 
politic,  and  entered  into  a  voluntary  affociation 
for  government.! 

VOLUNTARY  agreements  formed  a  very  impor- 
tant title  in  the  ancient  jurifprudence  of  New-Eng- 
land. Wherever  the  Britifh  emigrants  fettled  a 
colony  without  the  authority  of  a  charter,  they 
founded  their  police  on  a  contract  to  which  every 
one  agreed. 

THE  Diftri£l  of  Maine  was  fettled  by  Sir  Ferdi- 
nando  Gorges  in  nearly  the  fame  period  with  New- 

*  Belknap,  Vol.  l.p,  8  — 10.  f  Ibid,  p.  23. 


40  lilSTORY    OF 

1634.  Hampihire.  This  gentleman  was  of  an  ambitious 
*~^r*J  and  enterprizing  fpirit,  a  firm  royalift,  and  flrong- 
ly  attached  to  the  national  church.  The  adventur- 
ers who  repaired  to  this  plantation  entertained  fim- 
ilar  opinions,  though  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
other  colonies,  they  began  to  waver  in  their  fenti- 
ments.  Gorges  united  with  Mafon,  who  was  al- 
fo  a  royalift  and  Epifcopalian,  in  an  unfuccefsful 
attempt  to  obtain  a  general  government  over  the 
New-England  fettlements,  which  were  intended  to 
be  divided  into  twelve  diftri&s.  When  he  found 
his  plan  could,  not  be  effected,  he  folicited  and  ob- 
1639.  tained  a  charter  from  King  Charles  I.  This  pa- 
tent  of  the  crown  to  Gorges,  is  faid  to  have  con- 
tained more  and  greater  powers  than  had  ever  been 
granted  by  a  fovereign  to  a  fubjed.  It  enjoined 
little  elfe,  in  particular,  than  an  eftablifhment  of 
the  Epifcopal  religion.  Under  this  delegated  au- 
thority, Gorges  appointed  counfellors  for  the  or- 
dering the  affairs  of  the  fettlement.  To  perpetu- 
ate his  reputation,  as  land  proprietor,  he  gave  the 
plantation  of  York  the  name  of  Gorgiana. 

THERE  was  never  any  religious  perfecution  m 
the  Diftrict  of  Maine,  nor  was  it  confidered  an  ob- 
ject of  great  importance  to  eflablilh  a  regular  fup- 
port  for  the  clergy.  The  early  want  of  religious 
inftru&ion  proved  highly  detrimental  to  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  country.* 

THE  rapid  increafe  of  Maffachufetts  fettlement— 
induced  a  number  from  that  colony  to   form  the 

*  Sullivan,  />.  78,  79,  237,  307. 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  41 

flefign  of  effecting  a  new  plantation  on  Connefti- 
€ut  river ;  the  land  there  fituated  being  celebrat- 
ed for  its  luxuriancy.  The  firft  grant  of  this 
country  was  made  by  the  Plymouth  council  to  the 
Earl  of  Warwick,  in  1630,  and  confirmed  by  his  Ma- 
jefty  in  council  the  fame  year.  The  fucceeding  year  1 63 1* 
the  Earl  afligned  the  grant  to  Lord  Say  and  Seal, 
Lord  Brook,  and  njne  others,  who  referved  it  as 
an  afylum  for  the  Puritan  emigrants  from  England.* 

SEVERAL  families  from  Roxbury,  Dorchefter, 
Cambridge  and  Watertown,  began  to  remove  their 
families  to  Connecticut.  After  a  tedious  and  dif- 
ficult journey  through  fwamps  and  rivers,  over 
mountains  and  rough  grounds,  which  were  pafTed 
with  great  difficulty  and  fatigue,  they  arrived  fafe- 
ly  at  the  places  of  their  refpeftive  deflination ;  and 
commeaced  the  fettlement  of  the  towns  of  Wind- 
for,f  Hartford {  and  Weathersfield.§  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Hooker,  a  refpeftable  and  pious  clergy /nan, 
was  the  leader  in  this  enterprize. 

"  THE  hardfhips  and  diftreffes,  of  the  firft 
planters  of  Connedicut,"  fays  Dr.  TrumbuII, 
"  fcarcely  admit  of  a  defcription.  To  carry  much 
provifion  or  furniture  through  a  pathlefs  wilder- 
nefs  was  impracticable.  Their  principal  provifions 
and  houfehold  furniture  were  therefore  put  on 
board  feveral  fmall  vefiels,  winch  by  reafon  of  de* 
lavs  and  the  tempeftuoufnefs  of  the  feafon,  were 
either  caft  away,  or  did  not  arrive."  Several  vef- 
fels  were  wrecked  on  the  coaft  of  New-England, 

*  Morjt,  Vol.  7.^.465.     f,635.      -1,636.     §i6°3:;. 


II 1  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1635.  by  the  violence  of  the  florms.  Every  refource  aj*« 
v~"v~Sw'  peared  to  fails  and  the  people  were  under  the 
dreadful  apprehenfion  of  perifhing  by  famine." 
They  fupported  themfelves,  hi  this  diftrefling  pe- 
riod, with  that  heroic  firmnefs  and  magnanimity 
for  which  the  firil  fettlers  of  New-England  had 
been  fo  eminently  diPcingteifhed.* 

THE  Connecticut  planters  at  firft  fettled  under 
the  general  government  of  MafTachufetts ;  but 
finding  themfelves  without  the  limits  of  their  pa- 
tent, and  being  at  full  liberty  to  govern  them- 
felves by  their  o'wn  inftitutions,  they  formed  them- 
felves, by  voluntary  corn-pad,  into  a  diftinft  com- 
monwealth. 

1639.  THE  conditutton-  of  Connecticut  ordained,  that 
there  mould  be  annually  two  general  courts,  or  af- 
fembliea  ;  one  on  the  fecond  Thurfday  in  April, 
and  the  other  on  the  fecond  Thurfday  in  Septem- 
ber ;  that  the  fir  ft  mould  be  the  couit  of  election, 
in  which  mould  be  annually  chofen,  at  leail  fix  ma- 
giftrates,  and  all  other  public  officers.  It  ordained, 
that  a  governor  mould  be  chofen  diftinft  from  the 
fix  magiftrates,  for  one  year,  and  until  another 
Should  be  chofen  and  fwcrn  j  and  that  the  govern- 
or and  magiftrates  fhould  be  fworn  to  a  faithful 
execution  of  the  laws  of  the  colony,  and  in  cafes- 
in  which  there  was  no  exprefs  law  eflablimcd,  ta 
be  governed  by  the  divine  word.  Agreeably  to 
the  conflitution,  the  choice  of  thefe  officers  was 
to  be  made  by  the  whole  body  of  freemen  con* 

*  TneMfs  Hijhrj  sfConnetiitut,  Vol.  I.  p.  52, 


NEW  -ENGLAND.  43 

vened  in  general  election.  It  provided  that  all  1639. 
perfons,  who  had  been  received  as  members  of  the 
feveral  towns,  by  a  majority  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  had  taken  the  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  common- 
wealth, fhould  be  admitted  freemen  of  the  colony. 
This  was  the  mod  material  point,  in  which  the  con- 
ftitution  of  Connecticut  differed  from  that  of  Maf- 
fachufetts,  which  confined  the  privileges  of  free- 
men  to  the  communion  of  the  churches.* 

AGREEABLY  to  the  conftitution,  the  freemen 
convened  at  Hartford  on  the  fecond  Thurfday  in 
April,  and  elected  their  officers  for  the  enfuing 
year.  John  Haynes,  Efq.  a  gentleman  of  unblem- 
ilhed  integrity,  found  judgment  and  eminent  pie- 
ty, was  chofen  for  the  governor  of  the  colony.f 

ABOUT  the  time  of  the  above  mentioned  emi- 
gration from  MaiTachufetts,  the  frontiers  of  Con- 
necticut were  ftrengthened  by  the  exertions  of  the 
Puritan  noblemen  Lords  Say  and  Brook.  After 
having  obtained  a  grant,  they  deputed  George 
Fenwick,  Efq.  who  conducted  their  affairs,  to 
build  a  fort  near  the  confluence  of  the  river  Con- 
necticut. He  called  the  building  Saybrook,  in 
honor  of  his  noble  patrons.  John  Winthrop,  jun. 
Efq.  fob  of  the  firfl  governor  of  Maffachufetts,  af- 
fiiled  him  in  this  undertaking,  and  was  appointed 
governor.  Some  of  the  grantees  contemplated 
tranfporting  their  families  and  effects  to  this  terri- 
tory ;  but  relinquifhed  their  defign  when  affairs 

*  See  original  can/lit  ut  ion  of  Connecticut,  formed  by  voluntary 


,  in  Appendix  to  Trumfuf/Tj  Hi/lory^  p    528. 
•f  Trumbull)  Fol*  f.  p.  95,  96.      Hut^  bin/on. 


44  HISTORY     OF 

fcegan  to  take  a  new  turn  in  their  native  country: 
After  the  ardor  of  emigration  ceafed,  Mr.  Fen-, 
wick,  agent  for  Lords  Brook  and  Say,  was  au- 
thorifed  to  difpofe  of  their  lands,  which  were  pur- 
chafed  in  1 644  by  the  people  who  had  removed 
from  Maffachufetts.* 

1637.  WHILST  the  planters  of  Connecticut  were  thus 
exerting  themfelves  in  profecuting  and  regulating 
the  affairs  of  that  colony,  anothei  was  projected 
and  fettled  at  Quinnipiak,  afterwards  called  New- 
Haven.  This  year  two  large  fhips  arrived  in  the 
Maflachufetts-Bay,  with  paffengers  from  London 
and  its  vicinities.  Amongft  thefe  paiTengers  were 
a  number  of  celebrated  characters,  in  particular 
Mr.  Eaton  and  Mr.  Hopkins,  who  had  been'oput- 
lent  merchants  in  London,  and  were  eminent  for 
abilities  and  integrity,  and  Mr.  John  Davenport, 
a  famous  clergyman  in  the  city  of  London,  who 
was  diftinguifhed  for  piety,  learning,  and  the  up- 
rightnefs  of  his  condud. 

THE  reputation  and  opulence  of  the  principal 
gentlemen  of  this  company,  made  the  people  of 
MaiTachufetts  exceedingly  defirous  of  their  fettle- 
ment  in  that  commonwealth.  To  effe&  this  pur- 
pofe  great  pains  were  taken  by  particular  perfons 
and  towns  ;  and  the  general  court  offered  them 
their  choice  of  a  place  of  refidencc.  Influenced, 
however,  by  the  delightful  profpe&s,  which  the 
country  afforded,  and  flattering  themfelves  that 
by  removing  to  a  confiderable  diftance,  they 

*  Cbclmer. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  45 

fliould  be  out  of  the  jurifdi&ion  of  a  general  gov-  1637. 
ernor,  with  which  the  plantations  were  then  threat-  *^"v^ 
ened,  they  were  determined  to  fettle  a  diftinft  col- 
ony.    In  the  autumn  of  this  year  Mr.  Eaton  and 
others,  who  were  of  the  company,  made  a  jour- 
ney to  Connecticut,  to  explore  the  lands  and  har- 
bors on  the  fea  coaft.     They  pitched  upon  Quin- 
nipiak  for  the  place  of  their  fettlement. 

ON  the  1 8th  of  April  they  kept  their  firft  Sab-  1638, 
bath  in  New-Haven.     The  people  aflembled  under  v<orN> 
a  large  fpreadmg  oak,  and  Mr.  Davenport  preach- 
ed to  them  from  Matthew  iv.  i. 

THE  New-Haven  adventurers  were  the  moft 
opulent  company,  which  came  into  New-England, 
and  they  defigned  to  plant  a  capital  colony.  They 
laid  out  their  town  plat  in  fquares,  defigning  it 
for  a  great  and  elegant  city.  In  the  centre  was  a 
large,  beautiful  fquare.  This  was  comparTed  with 
others,  making  nine  in  the  whole.* 

THE  colony,  like  Connecticut,  formed  a  gov- 
ernment by  voluntary  agreement,  without  any 
charter  or  authority  from  the  crown.  On  the  4th 
of  July  all  the  free  planters  aflembled  at  Quinni-  1639, 
piak,  to  lay  the  foundations  of  their  civil  and  re- 
ligious  policy. 

THE  Rev.  Mr.  Davenport  introduced  this  im- 
portant tranfaclion,  by  a  difcourfe  from  Proverbs 
ix.  i .  His  defign  was  to  (hew,  tKat  the  church, 
or  houfe  of  God,  fhould  be  formed  of  feven  pil- 
Jars,  or  principal  brethren,  to  whom  all  the  other 

*  Trumbull,  Vol.  I.  p.  89,  90,  94. 


46  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1639.  members  of  the  church  fhould  be  added.  After 
this  difcourfe  the  planters  formed  a  number  of 
refolutions,  the  fundamental  article  of  which  was, 
that  the  fcriptures  hold  forth  a  perfect  rule  for 
the  direction  and  government  of  all  men  in  their 
civil  and  religious  duties,  as  well  in  families  and 
commonwealth,  as  in  ecclefiaftical  affairs.  Hence 
the  people  bound  themielves' to  fettle  civil  govern- 
ment according  to  the  divine  word.  After  full 
deliberation  it  was  determined,, 

THAT  church  members  only  mould  be  free 
burgcffes  ;  and  that  they  only  mould  chufe  magif- 
trates  among  themfelves,  to  have  power  of  tranf- 
a&ing  all  the  public  civil  affairs  of  the  plantation  5 
of  making  arid  repealing  laws,  dividing  inheri- 
tances, deciding  of  differences,  and  tranfacting  all 
bufmefs  of  a  fimilar  nature. 

THAT  civil  officers  might  be  chofen,  and  gov- 
eminent  proceed  according  to  thefe  refoiutions,  it 
was  neceffary  .a  church  fhould  be  formed.  With- 
out this  there  could  be  neither  freemen  nor  magif- 
trates.  Mr.  Davenport  then  proceeded  to  make 
propofals  relative  to  the  formation  of  a  church, 
and  it  was  refolved  to  this  effecl ; 

THAT  twelve  men  fhould  be  chofen,  that  their 
fttnefs  for  the  foundation  work  might  be  tried  ; 
and  that  it  fliould  be  in  the  power  of  thefe  twelve 
men  to  chufe  feven  to  begin  the  church. 

IT  was  agreed  that  if  feven  men  could  not  be 
found  among  the  twelve  qualified  for  the  founda- 
tion work,  that  fuch  other  perfons  fliould  be  taken 


NEW. EN  GLAND.  47 

mto  tfce  number,  upon  trial,  as   mould   be  judg-  1639. 
ed  mod  fuitable.     The  form  of  a  folemn  charge, 
or  oath,  was  drawn  up  and   agreed  upon  at  this 
meeting,  to  be  given  to  all  the  freemen.* 

FURTHER,  it  was  was  ordered,  that  all  peffons* 
xvho  mould  be  received,  as  free  planters  of  that 
corporation,  mould  fubmit  to  the  fundamental 
agreement  above  related,  and  in  teftimony  of  their 
fubmimon  mould  fubfcribe  their  name  among  the 
freemen.  After  a  proper  term  of  trial,  a  number 
of  the  mod  diftinguimed  characters  were  chofen 
for  the  feven  pillars  of  the  church. 

ON  the  25th  of  October,  the  court,  as  it  was 
termed,  confiding  of  thefe  feven  perfons  only,  con- 
vened, and,  after  a  folemn  addrefs  to  the  Supreme 
Being,  they  proceeded  to  form  the  body  of  free- 
men, and  to  ele£t  their  civil  officers. 

IN  the  firft  place,  all  former  truil,  for  manag* 
ing  the  public  affairs  of  the  plantation,  was  de- 
clared  to  ceafe,  and  to  be  utterly  abrogated.  Then 
all  thofe  who  had  been  admitted  to  the  church  af* 
ter  the  gathering  of  it,  in  the  choice  of  the  feven 
pillars,  and  all  the  members  of  other  approved 
churches,  who  defired  it,  and  offered  themfelves, 
were  admitted  members  of  the  court.  A  folemn 
charge  was  then  publicly  given  them,  to  the  fame 
effect  as  the  freemen's  charge,  or  oath,  which 
they  had  previoufly  adopted.  Mr.  Davenport  ex- 
pounded fevcral  fcriptures  to  them,  defcribing  the 
characters  of  civil  magiilrates  given  in  the  facred 

rd.  1.  p.  99,   100. 


43  HISTORY    OF 

1639.  oracles.  To  this  fucceeded  the  election  of  offi- 
cers,  Theophilus  Eaton,  Efq.  was  chofen  the  firft 
governor  of  this  colony. 

IT  was  decreed  by  the  freemen,  that  there 
mould  be  a  general  court  annually  in  the  planta- 
tion, on  the  laft  week  in  October.  This  was  or- 
dained a  court  of  election,  in  which  all  the  offi- 
cers of  the  eolony  were  to  be  chofen.  This  court 
determined,  that  the  word  of  God  mould  be  the 
only  rule  for  ordering  the  affairs  of  government 
in  that  commonwealth, 

THIS  was   the   original,  fundamental   conflitu-. 
tk>n  of  the  government  of  New-Haven.     All  gov- 
ernment was  veiled  in  the  church.     The  members 
of  the  church   elected  the   governor,  magiflrates 
and  all  other  officers.     The   magiflrates,  at  firfl, 
were  no  more  than  affiflants  of  the  governor  ;  they 
might  not  act  in  any  fentence  or   determination  of 
the   court.     No  deputy-governor  was  chofen,   nor 
were  any  laws  enacted,  except   the  general  refolu~ 
tlons  which  have  been  noticed  ;  but  as  the  planta- 
tion enlarged,  and  new  towns  were  fettled,  recent 
orders  were  given  ;  the  general  court  received  ano- 
ther form  ;  laws  were   enacted,  and  the  civil  poli- 
cy of  this  jurifdiction  gradually    advanced,  in   its 
eflential  parts,  to  a  near  refemblance  of  the   gov- 
ernment of  Connecticut.* 

THE  fir  ft  fettlers  in  New-Haven  had  all  thing* 
common  ;  all  purchafes  were  made  in  the  name, 

*  Trumbull,  Vol.  I.  p.  101,  102,  103.  See  fundamental  ar* 
fides  in  the  original  contfitution  of  New- Haven,  in  jtffendix  tQ 
IrumbuWs  Hijltry*  /.  633. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  49 

arid  for  the  ufe,  of  the  whole  plantation  ;  and  the 
lands  were  apportioned  out  to  each  family,  accord- 
ing to  their  number  and  original  flock.* 

THE  colonies  of  Connecticut  and  Nexv-Haven 
from  their  firfl  fettlement  rapidly  increafed.  From 
1635  to  l^4°9  fix  towns  were  fettled,  viz.  Wind- 
for,  Hartford  and  Weather  sfield,  in  Conne&icut  ; 
New-Haven,  Milford  and  Stamford,  in  New-Ha- 
ven. They  fubfifted  two  diftindt  governments  till 
they  were  united  by  one  charter. 

CONNECTICUT  and  New-Haven  were  embar- 
raifed  with  no  political  reftri&ions.  They  were 
free  fettlers  under  Lord  Say's  patent,  which  grant- 
ed the  privilege  of  purchafing  the  native  right  of 
the  Aboriginals,  and  referved  no  jurifdidtion  for 
the  crown,  as  in  the  charter  of  Maflachufetts.f 

DR.  Trumbull  obferves,  "that  the  fathers  of 
Connecticut,  as  to  politics,  were  republicans. 
They  reje&ed  with  abhorrence  the  doctrines  of 
the  divine  right  of  kings,  paffive  obedience,  and 
non-refiilance.  With  Sidney,  Hampden,  and 
other  great  writers,  they  believed  that  all  civil 
power  and  government  was  originally  in  the  peo- 
ple. Upon  thefe  principles  they  formed  their 
civil  conftitutions." 

LAWS  were  enacted,  both  by  Connecticut  and 
New-Haven,  prohibiting  all  purchafes  of  the  In- 
dians by  private  perfons  or  companies,  without 
the  confent  of  their  refpective  general  courts. 

*  Morfe,  Vol.  1.  p.  409. 
f  Manufcript  oftkt  latt  Prtfident  Stiles. 
G 


5o  II I  S  T  O  R  Y     OF 

Thefe  were  to  authorife  and  direct  the  manner 
of  every  purchafe.* 

FROM  their  firft  plantation,  fchools  were  infli- 
tuted  by  law  in  every  town  and  parffh  of  Connec- 
ticut and  New-Haven.  Indeed  the  fettlers  of  New- 
England,  in  general,  were  diflingniflred  by  the  at- 
tention, which  they  paid  to  the  promotion  of  learn- 
ing.  They  early  militated  fchools,  and  made  the 
education  of  youth  an  important  object. 

THIS  country   was   originally   defigned   as  an 
afylum  for  the  Puritan  religion  ;  and  the  planters 
of  both  colonies,  from  their  firft  rife,  were  aifidu- 
oufly  engaged  in  gathering  congregational  church- 
es, and  fettling  pallors  and  church  officers.     Be- 
fides  a  paftor,   a  teacher  and  deacons,  ruling  tl- 
ders  were  eftablimed  in  each  church,  whofe  bufi- 
nefs  was  to  aflift  the  paftor  in  church  government, 
to  pray  with   the  congregation,  and  expound  the 
fcriptures  in  his  abfence.     In  the  next  fucceeding 
churches,  teachers  and  ruling  elder s  were  difufed. 
THE  New-England  churches  agreed  in  adopting 
Calvinian  doctrines — in  maintaining  the  power  of 
each  particular  church  to  govern  itfelf — the  valid- 
ity of  prefbyterfan  ordination,  and  the  expediency 
of  fynods  on  certain  great  occafions.     From  their 
commencement,  they  ufed  ecclefiaflical  councils 
convoked  by  particular  churches  for  advice,  but 
not  for  the  judicial  determination  of  controverfies'.t 
1657.      THE  perfecution  in  England  flill  continued,  and 
occafioned  fuch   numbers   of  Puritans  to  go   over 

*  Trumlull,  Vol.  I  p.  296.         f 


NEW-ENGLAND.  51 

to  New-England,  that  the  king  and  council,  by  a  1637. 
proclamation  dated  April  30,  forbade  any  further 
emigration.  An  order  was  difpatched  to  detain 
weight  (hips  lying  in  the  river  Thames,  which  were 
prepared  to  fail*  Among  the  paflengers  on  board 
were  Sir  Arthur  Hazelrig,  John  Hampden,  John 
Pym,  and  Oliver  Cromwell.  Difgufted  with  the 
prefent  adminiflration,  they  had  determined  to 
abandon  their  native  country,  and  feek  an  afylum 
in  America ;  but  by  this  impolitic  feverity  they 
were  detained,  and  were  afterwards  the  caufe  of 
the  king's  ruin,  and  the  overthrow  of  the  eccle- 
fiaitical  hierarchy.  Not  with  ft  an  ding  this  prohibi- 
tion (fo  difficult  is  it  to  reflrain  men  whofe  minds 
are  agitated  by  fear  or  hope)  great  numbers  found 
means  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  government,  and 
tranfported  themfelves  to  Maflachufetts.  From 
the  fame  motives,  the  eflablifhment  of  the  colony 
of  New-Haven  was  undertaken,  and  extenfive  fet- 
tlements  in  New-England  formed  at  this  period.* 

FROM  reviewing  the  above  fettlements,  we  are 
led  to  admire  the  wifdom  of  Divine  Providence, 
in  rendering  the  bigotry  and  intolerance  of  the 
Englifh  nation  fubfervient  to  the  planting  of  flour- 
ilhing  colonies  in  the  new  world.  By  thefe  means, 
the  regions  before  inhabited  by  favages,  now  be- 
came peopled  by  men  of  piety  and  information. 
Hence  a  fcene  opened  unparalleled  in  the  annals 
of  hiftory.  No  nation  ever  enjoyed  fo  much  lib- 
erty and  opportunity  of  forming  civil  and  religious 


HISTORY    OF 

eflablifhments,  as  the  firft  fettlers  of  New-Eng* 
land.  The  increafe  of  their  numbers  was  rapid 
beyond  example.  No  other  inftance  can  be  pro* 
duced  of  any  other  people,  who  at  their  firft  fee* 
tlement,  were  fo  afliduoufly  engaged  in  promoting 
ufeful  learning,  and  in  making  early  improvements 
in  the  arts  and  fciences,  It  is  remarkable,  that  at 
this  period,  when  the  emigration  from  England 
ceafed,  the  fettlements  were  ftill  further  extended 
by  fimilar  means,  viz.  the  bigotry  and  intolerance 
of  the  new  fettlers.  This  gave  rife  to  the  planta* 
tions  of  Providence  and  Rhode-Ifland,  an  account 
of  which  will  be  given  in  the  fubfecnieiU  chapter, 


NEW. ENGLAND.  53 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Of  the  intolerant  principles  of  the  Ma/achufetts  colo- 
ny.    Banijhment  of  Mr.  Roger  Williams,  and  his 
fettlement  at  Providence.     Of  the  Antinomian  dif- 
fenftons  in   Majfachufetts,  and  the  fettlement  of 
Rhode-IJland.    Of  the  plantations  of  Exeter,  Hamp- 
ton and  Warwick.     The  inhabitants  of  Narra* 
ganfet-Bay  obtain  a  patent  from  the  crown  of          , 
England. 

n 

HE  inhabitants  of  New-England, 
who  abandoned  their  native  country,  and  encoun- 
tered a  variety  of  hardfhips  to  avoid  perfecution, 
foon  difcovered  a  determined  refolution  to  enforce 
uniformity  in  religious  worfhip,  among  all  who  in- 
habited their  territories.  At  the  firft  general  court 
which  was  held  in  MafTachufetts,  1630,  a  num- 
ber had  been  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  free- 
men who  were  not  in  communion  with  the  church- 
es. But  as  early  as  the  fecond  general  court,  af-  1631, 
ter  the  arrival  of  the  governor  and  company,  they 
refolved,  that  in  future,  none  fhould  be  admitted 
to  the  freedom  of  the  body  politic,  but  fuch  as 
were  church  members.  They  foon  after  conclud- 
ed, that  none  but  fuch  fhould  fhare  in  the  admin- 
iflration  of  civil  government,  or  have  a  voice  in 
election.  A  few  years  after,  they  fo  far  for- 


34  HISTORY     OI< 

563 1.  got  their  own  fufferings  as  to  perfecute  thofe  who 
refufed  to  accede  to  their  religious  fentirnents.* 

MR.  Roger  Williams,  a  Puritan  clergyman,  ar- 
rived this  year  from  England  at  Salem,  where  he 
was  immediately  chofen  afliftant  to  Mr.  Shelton* 
The  magiftrates  oppofed  his  fettletnent,  becaufe  he 
refufed  to  join  with  the  church  at  Boftori,  unlefs 
they  would  make  a  public  declaration  of  their  re- 
pentance  for   maintaining   communion   with  the 
church  of  England  while  in  their  native  country. 
This  cccafioned  Mr.   Williams'  removal  to   Ply- 
mouth,   where   he  was   elected  afliftant   to   Mr. 
Smith,  in  which  office  he  continued  between  two 
and  three  years.     Upon  a  difagreement  with  fome 
of  the  moil  influential  characters  in  this  chuich, 
and  an  invitation  to  Salem,  he  requefled  a  difrnif- 
iion,  and    returned  to  that  town.     As  Mr.  Shel- 
ton, the   former  clergyman,    was   now  deceafed, 
he  was  chofen  to  fucceed  him.     The  magiftrates 
itill  oppofed  his  fettlement,  as  they  had  previouf- 
ly  done.     They  made  great  objections  to  his  fen- 
tirnents.    He  was  charged  by  his  opponents  with 
maintaining,   "  That  it  is  not  lawful  for   a   godly 
man  to  have  communion  in  family  prayer,  or  in 
an  oath,  with  fuch  as  they  judge  unregenerate ; 
therefore  he  refufed  the  oath  of  fidelity,  and  taught 
others  to  follow  his  example  ;  that  it  is  not  law- 
ful for  an  unregenerate  man  to  pray  ;  that  the 
niagiftrate  has  nothing  to  do  in  matters  of  the  firfl 
table  j  that  there   fhould  be  a  general  and  unliiu- 

*  Hutdinfon,  V&L  I.  p.  26,  27. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  B.  33 

ked  toleration  of  all  religions,  and  that  to  punifh  1631. 
a  man  for  following  the  di&ates  of  his  confcience 
was  perfecution  ;  that  the  patent  which  was  grant- 
ed by  King  Charles  was  invalid,  and  an  inflru- 
ment  of  mjuftice  which  they  ought  to  renounce, 
being  injurious  to  the  natives  ;  the  king  of  Eng- 
land having  no  power  to  difpofe  of  their  lands  to 
his  own  fubjects."  On  account  of  thefe  fenti- 
ments,  and  for  refufmg  to  join  in  communion  with 
the  Maffachufetts  churches,  he  was,  at  length, 
banimed  the  colony,  as  a  difturber  of  the  peace  of  1636, 
the  church  and  commonwealth.* 

WHILST  Mr.  Williams  refided  at  Plymouth  and 
Salem,  he  cultivated  an  acquaintance  with  the  In- 
dians in  thofe  towns,  and  learned  their  language. 
Previoufiy  to  his  leaving  the  colony,  he  prefented 
a  variety  of  gifts  to  Canonicus  and  Ofamaquin,  two 
Narraganfet  fachems,  and  privately  treated  with 
them  for  land,  with  which  they  allured  him  he 
fhould  be  fupplied,  provided  he  would  fettle  in 
their  country.  This  encouraged  him,  after  his 
banimment,  to  remove  with  four  companions  to 
Narraganfer-Bay.  He  firfl  came  to  Seconk,  -now 
Rehoboth,  and  obtained  a  grant  of  the  land  from 
Ofamaquin,  the  chief  fachem  at  Mount-Hope.  As 
this  grant  was  within  the  limits  of  Plymouth  pa- 
tent, Mr.  Winilow,  the  governor,  in  a  friendly 
manner,  advifed  him  to  remove.  He  then  croffed 
Seconk  river,  and  landed  among  the  Indians,  by 

*  Hutcbinfon*  Vul,  7.  p.  37,      NtaTt  Hijlory  of  Ne 
Fo/.  Lp.  15$. 


56  HI  STORY    OF 

1636.  whom  he  was  moft  hofpitably  received.  He  ftaflu 
Vx"v-^  ed  the  place  of  his  refidence  Providence,  "  in  a 
fenfe  of  God's  merciful  providence  to  him  in  his 
diftrefs."  Strongly  imprefled  with  the  importance 
of  religious  liberty,  the  grand  object,  which  he 
aiFerts  he  had  in  view,  was,  "  to  provide  a  refuge 
for  perfofts  deflitute  for  confidence  fake."* 

THIS  fmall  company  was  foon  augmented  by 
parties  from  Mafiachufetts.  The  new  emigrants 
greatly  fuffered  through  fatigue  and  want*  They 
fupported  their  affliction  with  heroic  fortitude,  and 
effected  a  fettlement,  the  government  of  which  was 
founded  on  the  broad  bafis  of  univerfal  toleration. 

MR.  Williams  embraced  the  fentiments  of  the 
Baptifts  a  few  years  after  his  arrival  in  Providence* 
1639.  and  was  instrumental  in  forming  a  church  of  that 
denomination,  which  was  the  firft  Baptift  church 
in  New-England.  He  foon  after  relinquifhed 
their  opinions,  and  became  a  Seeker.  But,  though 
his  flrong  feelings,  and  deep  refearches  in  the 
mazes  of  fpeculation,  led  him  to  be  wavering  and 
undecided  in  his  religious  fentiments,  yet  his  con- 
duct exhibited  the  goodnefs  of  his  heart,  and  pu- 
rity of  his  intentions.  He  exerted  himfelf  to  the 
utmoft  that  others  might  enjoy  that  freedom  of 
opinion  which  he  himfelf  exercifed  ;  and  uniform- 
ly condemned  every  kind  and  degree  of  perfecu- 
tion  on  accolmt  of  religion.! 

*  Williams'    fecond  deed  to  the  fettlers,  1 66 1.       Plea  to  the 
Court  of  Commijfionen,   1677. 

f  Ste  letter  from   Roger  Williams  to  Major  Majont  fubUjbtd  in 
of  the  Hijlorical  Society  for  1792. 


NEW-ENGLAND,  57 

4<  HE  juftly  claims  the  honor  of  being  the  firft  1636. 
legiflator  in  the  world,  in  its  latter   ages,  who  ef- 
fe&ually  provided  for  and  eftablifhed  a  free,  full 
and  abfoiute  liberty  of  conference." 

MR.  Williams  generoufly  made  twelve  of  his 
companions  equal  proprietors  with  himfelf,  both 
in  the  lands  given  by  the  fachem,  and  thofe  he 
purchafed  of  him.  The  next  fetders  of  Provi- 
dence were  admitted  to  be  equal  fharers  in  the 
greater  part  of  his  lands  for  thirty  pounds,  until 
the  whole  number  of  proprietors  amounted3  at 
length,  to  an  hundred.* 

THE  firfl  form  of  government  eftablifhed  by 
Mr,  Williams  and  the  people  of  Providence  ap- 
pears to  have  been  a  voluntary  agreement,  that 
each  individual  fhould  fubmit  to,  and  be  governed 
by,  the  refolutions  of  the  whole  body.  All  pub- 
lic matters  were  tranfa&^d  in  their  town-meetings, 
and  there  all  private  difputes  and  controveriks 
were  heard,  adjudged  and  fmifhed.f 

MR.  Williams  lived  in  Providence  almoft  half 
a  century,!  part  of  which  period  he  enjoyed  the 
authority  of  chief  magiftrate.  He  employed  him- 
felf continually  in  acts  of  kindnefs  to  thofe  who 
had  endeavoured  to  deprive  him  of  the  facred 
rights  of  confcience  ;  in  affording  relief  to  the  dif- 
treffed,  and  offering  an  afylum  to  the  perfecuted.§ 

SOON  after  the  fettlement  was  begun  in  Provi- 
dence, the  commonwealth  of  Maffachufetts  was 

*  Governor  Hopkins'  Gazette,      -\  Ibid. 
J   Roger  Williams  died  16^3,  aged  84 
§  Hutckinjon,  Vol.  L  p.  38.     Chalm&,  p.  270, 
H 


53  HISTORY    OF 

1636.  difturbed  by  intefline  divifions.     The  male  mem- 
^^^  bers  of  the  church  in  Bofton  had  been  accuftomed 

to  convene,  in  order  to  repeat  and  debate  on  the 
difcourfes  which  were  delivered  on  Sundays.  Mrs. 
Anne  Hmchinfon,  a  very  extraordinary  woman, 
eflablifhed  a  fimilar  meeting  for  her  own  fex,  found- 
ing her  practice  on  Titus  ii.  4.  Her  cuftom  was  to 
repeat  palfages  of  Mr.  Cotton's  fermons,  and  make 
her  remarks  and  expofitions.  Thefe  lectures  for 
fome  time  were  received  with  general  approbation, 
and  were  attended  by  a  numerous  audience.  At 
length  it  appeared,  that  ihe  dutinguifhed  the  minif- 
ters,  and  members  of  churches  through  the  coun- 
try, a  fmall  part  of  whom  ihe  allowed  to  be  under 
a  covenant  of  grace,  and  the  others  under  a  cove- 
nant of  works.  The  whole  colony  was  foon  di- 
vided into  two  parties,  differing  in  fentiment,  and 
flill  more  alienated  in  affection.  They  filled  each 
other  Antinomians  and  LegaliHs.  Mrs.  Hutchin- 
fon  was  charged  with  maintaining,  that  "  the  Ho- 
ly-Ghoft  dwells  perfonally  in  a  juftified  perfon  j 
and  that  fanctification  is  not  an  evidence  to  believ- 
ers of  their  j unification."* 

1637.  THE  Antinomians  exerted   themfelves  to  keep 
in  office  Sir  Henry  Vane,  who  adopted  their  fen- 
timents,  and   protected  their  preachers.     On  the 
other  hand,  the  oppofite  party  ufed  every  effort  to 
difcontinue  him,  and  fubflitute   John   Winthrop, 
Efq.     After  fome  difficulty,  they  fucceeded  in  the 
election  of  this  gentleman. f 

*  Hutdinfon,  VoL  11,  j>,  4^2.      f  Vol.  L  p.  67. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  59 

THE  difputes  which  divided  the  country  were,  1637. 
according  to  Dr.  Mather,  "  about  the  order  of 
things  in  our  union  to  our  Lord  Jefus-Chrift  ;  the 
influence  of  our  faith  in  the  application  of  his 
righteoufnefs ;  the  ufe  of  our  fan&ification  in  evi- 
dencing our  j unification  ;  and  the  confideration  of 
our  Lord  Jefus-Chrift  by  men  yet  under  the  cove- 
nant of  works  ;  briefly,  they  were  about  the  points 
whereupon  depend  the  grounds  of  our  affurednefs 
of  bleflednefs  in  a  better  world."* 

THOSE  religious  tenets  were  difputcd  with  fo 
much  warmth,  that  it  was  judged  advifable  to  call 
a  fynod  to  give  their  opinion  upon  the  controvert- 
ed points.  A  council  was  accordingly  called  to 
meet  at  Newtown  the  3oth  of  Auguft.  This  was 
the  firfl  fynod  appointed  in  New-England.  Min- 
ifters,  delegates,  and  alfo  magiftrates,  under  pre- 
tence of  keeping  the  peace,  were  prefent  on  this 
occafion  ;  and  as  many  of  the  people  as  chofe  were 
permitted  to  attend  the  debates.  After  difputirig 
for  three  weeks,  the  fynod  condemned  eighty  er- 
roneous opinions,  faid  to  have  been  maintained  in 
the  colony.  The  refult  was  figned  by  all  the 
members  except  Mr.  Cotton,  who,  though  he  de- 
clined cenfuring  the  whole,  exprefled  his  difap- 
probation  of  the  greater  part  of  thefe  opinions.! 

THE  general  court,  at  their  feflion  the  i&  of 
October,  cited  the  principals  of  the  Aminomian 
party  to  appear  before  them.  The  court  was  held 
In  Newtown,  fince  Cambridge,  from  an  appre- 

*  Mather,  B,  VII.  p,  1 8.      f  lluubi*fint  VtL  L  p.  67. 


So  IIISTORYOF 

1637.  henfion  that  the  Antinomians  had  a  large  number 
of  partifans  in  Bofton.  The  Rev.  John  W7heel- 
right,  brother  to  Mrs.  Hutchinfon,  was  fir  ft  con- 
voked before  this  affembly.  He  had  been  a  preach-? 
er  at  Braintree,  which  was  then  part  of  Bofton, 
and  was  a  gentleman  of  learning,  piety  and  zeal.* 
He  had  warmly  advocated  the  new  doclrines,  and 
in  a  late  difcourfe  fever ely  cenfured  the  magiftrates 
and  minlfters  in  the  colony.  Upon  his  refufal  ei- 
ther to  acknowledge  his  offence,  or  to  go  into  vol- 
untary exile,  the  court  fentenced  him  to  be  dis- 
franchifed,  and  banifhed  the  jurifdiction. 

MRS,  Hutchinfon  was  next  cited  to  her  trial  be- 
fore the  court,  and  a  large  number  of  the  clergy. 
Her  fentence  upon  record  is  as  follows :  "  Mrs. 
Hutchinfon,  the  wife  of  Mr.  William  Hutchinfon,. 
being  con  vented  for  traducing  the  clergymen  and 
their  miniftry  in  the  country,  fhe  declared  volun- 
tarily her  revelations,  and  that  fhe  fhould  be  deliv- 
ered and  the  court  ruined  with  their  pofterity  ;  and 
thereupon  was  banifhed,  and  in  the  mean  time 
xvas  committed  to  Mr.  Jofeph  Weld,  of  Roxbury, 
u .-'ii.il  the  court  fliould  difpofe  of  her."  Having 
revived  her  fentence  fiom  the  court,  fhe  was 
obliged  to  undergo  a  further  trial  in  the  church, 
Sue  was  fivft  admonished,  and  prefented  to  the 
ch  irch  a  recantation  of  the  errors  with  which  fhe 
charged  ;  yet  at  the  fame  time  profeflcd  fhe 
r-e-'er  maintained  any  other  fentiments  than  what 
j  there  exhibited.  Upon  this  fhe  was  excoau 

f  Biikuap,  /V.  I  p.  56. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  fa 

municated  as  a  lyar  by  the  church  of  Bofton,  to  1637, 
which  me  belonged.*  Vv^> 

MRS.  Hutchinfon,  with  a  large  number  of  the 
Antinomian  party,  fome  of  whom  had  been  ban* 
ilhed,  and  others  disfranchifed,  removed  from  ths 
jurifdiclion  of  the  JMaflachufetts  colony.  Mr, 
Roger  Williams  received  and  entertained  them 
with  the  mod  friendly  attention  at  providence. 
His  benevolence  was  ever  a&ive,  and  with  the 
affiftance  of  Sir  Henry  Vane,  he  procured  for 
them  Aquednock,  now  Rhode-Ifland,  of  the  In- 
dian fachems.  Qn  the  24th  of  March  they  fign^  1638* 
ed  a  deed,  conveying  this  ifland  to  the  Englifh. 
Though  Mr.  Williams,  and  a  number  of  his 
friends,  with  the  permiflion  of  the  Narraganfet  fa- 
chems, had  been  fettled  at  Providence  almoft  two 
years,  the  firft  deed  of  the  place,  now  extant,  is 
dated  the  fame  day  with  that  of  Rhode-Ifland.f 

THE  exiles  from  Maffachufetts  found  a  com* 
fortable  afylum  in  that  country,  and  foon  effeded 
a  fettlement.  They  formed  themfelves  into  a  body 
politic,  and  entered  into  a  voluntary  affociation 
for  government. 

MR.  y/illiam  Cpddington  was  chofen  to  be 
their  judge  and  chief  magiftrate.  This  gentleman 
was  one  of  the  mod  diflinguifhed  characters  among 
the  exiles.  He  came  over  to  America  in  1630, 
fettled  at  Bofton,  and  was  one  of  the  principal 
merchants  in  that  town.  After  his  removal  to 

Hutfb:nfbn9  Vol.  I  p.  70.     See  Mrs.    Hutchinjcns   trial  i& 
di*.  to   Uutcbinfon's  Hi/lory. 
Record*  in  the  Secretary's  ojpce  in  Providence* 


£~  HISTORY    OF 

1638.  Rhode-Ifland,  he  embraced  the  fentiments  of  the 
v-<v^  Friends.     He  appears  to  have  been  a  warm  advo- 
cate for  liberty  of  confcience.* 

MR.  John  Clark  was  another  leading  character 
among  the  fettlers  of  Rhode-Ifland.  In  order  to 
enjoy  peace  and  liberty  of  confcience,  he  volunta- 
rily abandoned  the  colony  of  MafTachufetts.  He 
was  chofen  agent  for  the  newly  eftablifhed  planta- 
tion, and,  after  the  reftoration  of  King  Charles  II. 
was  inftrumental  in  procuring  a  charter. 

THE  fettlement  of  this  ifland  was  commenced 
on  the  north-eafterly  fide,  oppofite  to  Mount- 
Hope,  and  was  named  Portfmouth,  from  the  nar- 
row entrance  of  the  harbor.  The  fame  year  con- 
fiderable  numbers  arrived  from  MafTachufetts.  At 

1639.  the  opening  of  the  next  year  they  moved  towards 
the  fouth-weftern  part  of  the  ifland.     There  they 
began  a  fettlement,   and,  having  found  another 
fine  harbor,  they  named  the  place  Newport.     The 
fertility  of  its  lands,  its  beautiful  fituation,    the 
convenience  of  its  harbor,  and  the  affluent  cir- 
cumftances   of  its  firft  inhabitants,    confpired  to 
render  it  more  pleafant  than  the  other  fettlement. 
It  became  in  a  few  years  the  metropolis  of  the  col- 
ony.    Mr.  John  Clark,  andfome  others,  in  1644, 
formed  a  church. in  this  town,  on  the  principles  of 
the  Baptifts.  ' 

THE  government  eftablifhed  in  Rhode-Ifland  was 
faid  to  be  fimilar  to  that  of  Providence.  For, 
though  the  people  chofe  one  chief  magiftrate,  cr 

*   ?et  Coddingiotfj   Letter   to    the  Governor  of  New ' 
1674,  in  Befeis  Sufferings  of  the 


NEW. ENGLAND.  63 

governor,  and  four   afliftants,  yet   thefe   appear,  1639. 
like  the  deputies  in  Providence,  to  have  been  veft-  Xxvx-' 
ed  only  with  fome  of  the  executive  powers.     The 
chief  of  the  legiflative,    executive  and  judiciary  - 
powers  were  exercifed  by  the  body   of  the  people 
in  their  town-meetings.* 

FOUR  years  after  MaiTachufetts   fettled  Provi-  1640. 
dence,  the  inhabitants  of  that  colony  began  a  plan-  '-"v^-» 
tation  at  Patuxet,  a  place  adjoining,  and  compre- 
hended within  their  grant. 

THE  fettlements  of  Providence  and  Rhode-Ifl- 
and  at  different  periods  received  large  acceflions 
from  the  denominations  of  Baptifls  and  Friends, 
\vho  were  perfecuted  in  the  other  colonies. 

THE  fettlers  of  this  country  emigrated  from 
England  with  the  fame  views  as  the  other  Puritans, 
and  they  left  Maffachufetts  to  purfue  the  objects 
of  their  removal  to  America.! 

DR.  Belknap  obferves,  that  "  the  diftinguifhing 
trait  in  this  colony  is,  that  it  was  fettled  on  a  plan 
of  entire  religious  liberty  ;  men  of  every  denomin- 
ation being  equally  protected  and  countenanced, 
and  enjoying  the  honors  and  offices  of  govern- 
ment. | 

THE  intolerance  of  Maffachufetts,  which  gave  1638. 
rife  to  the  fettlement  of  Rhode-Ifland  and  Provi- 
dence  Plantations,  proved  the  occafion  of  enlarg- 
ing New-Hampfhire.  The  Rev.  John  Wheelright, 
after  his  banifhment,  fought  an  afylum  in  that  col- 
ony. He  had  previoufly  purchafed  lands  of  the 

*  Hopkins'  Gazeftt.  f  Calltndtr,  p.  90,  J  Belknap.  Val,  7.  /.  89. 


64  HISTORY    OF 

1638.  Indians  at  Squamfcot  falls  -,  and  with  a  number  of 
his  adherents  he  now  began  a  plantation,  which, 
according  to  the  agreement  made  with  Mafon's 
agents,  was  called  Exeter.  Having  obtained  a 
difmiiTion  from  the  church  in  Bofton,  they  form* 
ed  thernfelves  into  a  church,  and  judging  them- 
felves  without  the  jurifdi&ion  of  MafTachufetts, 
they  aflbciated  under  a  feparate  government,  and 
chofe  rulers  and  affiftants,  who  were  fworn  to  the 
due  difcharge  of  their  oflice,  and  whom  the  peo« 
pie  were  fworn  to  obey. 

ABOUT  the  fame  time  a  number  of  perfonss 
chiefly  from  Norfolk^  in  England,  made  a  fettle- 
ment  in  a  place  which  they  called  Hampton. 
They  began  by  laying  out  a  townihip  in  one  hun- 
dred  and  forty-feven  lhares ;  and,  having  formed 
a  church,  chofe  one  Stephen  Bachelor  for  their 
minifter,  with  whom  Stephen  Dalton  was  foon 
after  aflbciated,  The  number  of  the  firft  inhabit- 
ants was  fifty-fix.* 

RELIGIOUS  tenets  fimilar  to  thofe  which  caufed 
difTenfions  in  MafTachufetts,  were,  in  nearly  the 
fame  period,  taught  in  Plymouth^  by  one  Samuel 
Gorton,  who  arrived  in  Bofton  in  1636,  and  from 
thence  removed  to  Plymouth,  where  he  treated 
their  paftor,  Mr.  Smith,  in  fuch  a  manner  that 
the  authority  required  him  to  give  bonds  for  his 
good  behavior.  This  occafioned  his  departure  to 
Rhode-Ifland  ;  where  his  difrefpe&ful  behavior  to 
the  court  involved  him  in  recent  difficulties.  From 
Vol.  I.  f.  37,  ™, 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  6  j 

Rhode-Ifland  he  removed  to  Providence;  and  1641. 
was  received  by  Roger  Williams,  with  that  human- 
ity, which  diflinguifhed  his  chara&ef.  Gorton, 
and  a  number  of  his  friends,  then  fettled  at  Pa- 
tuxet,  which  excited  great  uneafmefs  in  fome  of 
the  inhabitants,  who  complained  to  the  govern- 
ment of  MafTachufetts  of  his  conduct,  arid  folicited 
the  protection  of  that  colony.  Upon  this,  he 
and  his  aflbciates  were  cited  to  appear  at  the  court 
in  Boflon.  They  refufed  to  obey  ;  and  ailed ged 
that  they  were  out  of  the  jurifdidion,  both  of 
Plymouth  and  Mafiachiifetts.  The  next  flep  tak- 
en by  Gorton,  and  his  friends,  was  the  purchaf- 
ing  of  Miantinomo,  a  Narraganfet  fachem,  a  tract 
of  land  called  Shawomet,  and  removing  to  that  1642* 
place.  This  land  was  claimed  by  the  government  ^^^ 
of  Plymouth.  Two  of  the  Narraganfet  fachems, 
who  dwelt  there,  and  at  Patuxet,  came  to  Bofton 
to  complain  of  Gorton  for  infringing  on  their  pro- 
perty ;  and  fubmitted  themfelves,  and  their  coun- 
try, to  the  jurifdiction  of  Maffachufetts.  This 
caufed  him  to  be  again  cited  to  court ;  and,  upon 
his  peremptory  refufal  to  obey  the  fummons,  he, 
and  a  number  of  his  adherents,  were  apprehended, 
conveyed  to  Boflon,  and  imprifoned.  They  were  1643. 
charged  with  being  virulent  enemies  to  religion 
and  civil  government.  The  writings  of  Gorton 
and  his  party  were  produced  as  evidences  againft 
them.*' 

*  Hutc bin/on,  Vol.  I.  p.  1 18,   119,   I  2O,   121, 


66  HISTORY   OF 

1643.  GORTON  was  ordered  to  be  confined  to  hard 
v-*"sr>-'  labor  at  Charleftown  ;  and  to  wear  fuch  bolts  and 

irons  as  might  prevent  his  efcape.  If  he  broke 
his  confinement,  or  endeavoured  to  make  profe- 
lytes  to  his  religious  fentiments ;  if  he  fhould  re- 
proach the  churches,  or  civil  government  in  the 
colonies,  after  conviction  thereof,  upon  trial  by 
jury,  it  was  ordained,  that  he  mould  fufFer  death. 

THE  affociates  of  Gorton  were  confined  in  dif- 
ferent towns,  upon  fimilar  conditions. 

A  MESSAGE  was  fent  to  Miantinomo,  the  Nar- 
raganfet  fachem,  of  whom  Gorton  and  his  party 
had  purchafed  Sha\vomet,  to  repair  to  Bofton. 
He  obeyed,  but  the  court  refufed  to  admit  the 
juftice  of  his  claim  to  the  Indian  country.* 

1644.  AFTER  a  fevere  confinement  during  the  winter, 
Iw0^;  Gorton  and  his  friends  were  baniflied  from  the  ju- 

rifdiction  of  Maffachufetts,  and  from  the  lands 
they  had  purchafed  of  the  Indian  fachem.  Gor- 
ton's next  refource  was  to  repair  to  England,  and, 
having  obtained  an  order  from  the  Britifh  govern- 
ment that  he  mould  be  fufFered  to  poflefs  the  lands 
he  had  purchafed  in  Narraganfet-Bay,  returned 
and  there  effected  a  fettlement.  The  chief  town 
was  named  Warwick,  in  honor  of  his  patron  the 
Earl  of  Warwick.! 

1643-  THE  inhabitants  of  Narraganfet-Bay  being  def- 
titute  of  a  patent  or  any  legal  authority,  Mr. 
Williams  went  to  England  as  their  agent,  and, 

*  Hutcbinfm,  Vol.  I.p,  122,     f  Ibid,  Vol.  /./.  23,     Cal* 
lender,  p    43,  44. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  67 

by  the  affiftance  of  Sir  Henry  Vane,  jun.  obtain-  1643. 
ed  of  the  Earl  of  Warwick  (then  governor  and 
admiral  of  all  the  plantations)  and  his  council,  a 
free  and  abfolute  charter  of  civil  incorporation  of 
cc  Providence  Plantations,  in  Narraganfet-Bay." 
They  were  empowered  to  form  their  own  govern- 
inent,  and  enact  laws  agreeable  to  the  laws  and 
ftatutes  of  England.f 

.*  Hazard's  Uijloru&l  Collefiions,  Vol.  L  j>.  540, 


6$  HISTORY     OF 


CHAPTER     V. 

Of  the  war  with  the  Pequod  Indians.  Cambridge  col- 
lege founded.  Of  the  union  of  Ncw-HampJhirc 
with  MaJJachufetts.  The  Province  of  Maine fubmiti 
to  Majfachufetts*  jurifdifticn.  Settlement  of  Mar- 
tha's  Vineyard.  The  confederation  of  four  of  the 
New-England  colonies.  The  civil  war  in  Eng- 
land puts  a  ftop  for  the  prefent  to  the  further  in- 
creafe  of  the  plantations.  Noble  fpeech  of  Govern" 
or  Winihrop, 


w, 


HEN  our  anceftors  had,  with 
Bnconquered  perfeverance,  furmounted  the  obfta- 
cles  to  their  fir  ft  fettlement,  they  had  (till  an  ardu- 
ous talk  to  fecure  themfelves  from  the  malevolence 
and  jealoufy  of  the  natives.  They  had  taken  eve- 
ry precaution  rto  avoid  a  war  ;  and  the  intcrpofi- 
tion  of  Divine  Providence  was  vifible  in  reflrain* 
ing  the  favages  from  deftroying  their  infant  fettle- 
ments. 

IN  the  fpring  of  1630,  a  great  confpiracy  was 
entered  into  by  the  Indians  from  the  Narraganfets 
to  the  eaftward,  to  extirpate  the  Englifh.  The 
colony  of  Plymouth  was  the  principal  object  of 
this  confpiracy.  '  They  well  knew  that  if  they 
could  eftecl  the  deflruciion  of  Plymouth,  the  in- 
fant fettlement  at  Mafiachufetts  would  fall  an  eafy 
facrifice.  They  laid  their  plan  with  much  art. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  69 

v*f 

JJnder  color  of  having  fome  diverfion  at  Plymouth, 
they  intended  to  fall  upon  the  inhabitants,  and 
thus  to  effect  their  defign.  IJut  their  plot  was  dif- 
cjofed  to  the  people  of  Charleftown  by  John  Saga- 
rnore,  an  Indian,  who  had  always  been  a  great 
friend  to  the  Englifh.  The  preparations  made  to 
prevent  any  fuch  fatal  furprize  in  future,  and  the 
fa  ing  of  the  great  guns,  fo  terrified  the  Indians 
that  they  difperfed,  relinquifhed  their  defign,  and 
declared  themfelves  the  friends  of  the  Englim.* 

AT  length,  when  the  colonies  had  acquired  16370 
fome  degree  of  ftrength,  they  were  involved  in 
a  war  with  the  Pequods,  a  powerful  Indian  tribe, 
who  inhabited  the  fouth-eaft  part  of  Connedicut, 
and  were  governed  by  Saflacus,  a  prince  of  an 
naughty,  independent  fpirit.  They  had  the  faga- 
city  to  fee  their  own  definition  in  the  progrefs  of 
the  Englim.  Both  the  Englifh  and  Indians  court- 
ed the  friendship  of  the  Narraganfets  with  the 
greateft  affiduity.  The  Pequods  urged  them  to 
forget  their  former  animofity ;  and  reprefented 
that  one  magnanimou3  effort  would,  with  facility, 
and  without  danger,  oblige  the  flrangers  to  aban- 
don the  lands,  which  they  had  feized  with  fuch 
avidity.  They  exprefled  their  apprehenfions,  that 
without  their  friendly  afliftance  both  tribes  would 
be  deflroyed.  Thefe  cogent  reafons  had  fuch  an 
effed  on  the  Narraganfet  Indians,  that  they  began 
to  waver.  But  as  they  had  recently  been  engagec| 
iji  war  witji  the  Pequods,  the  love  of  revenge,  fo 
*  Morje,  Pol,  I.  p.  322. 


7o  HISTORY    OF 

1637.  congenial  to  the  favage  mind,    overpowered  all 
interefted  motives,  and  induced  them  to  join  the 


ACTUATED  by  the  nioft  inveterate  hatred  to 
the  colonilts,  the  Pequods  furprized  and  killed  fev- 
eral  of  the  fettlers  on  Connecticut  river.  Alarm- 
cd  at  thefe  hoftile  proceedings,  the  colonies  of 
Maffachufetts,  Plymouth  and  Connecticut  united 
their  forces,  in  order  to  carry  the  war  into  their 
country,  and  attempt  the  entire  deftruction  of  the 
whole  tribe.  Troops  were  accordingly  raifed  in 
all  the  colonies,  but  thofe  of  Connecticut,  on  ac- 
count of  their  vicinity  to  the  enemy,  were  firfl  in 
motion.  Captain  Mafon,  with  ninety  Engliftimen 
and  feventy  Indians  from  Connecticut  river,  pro* 
ceeded  by  water  to  the  Narraganfet  country,  where 
lie  was  joined  by  two  hundred  of  that  tribe.  Dur- 
ing the  furnmer  of  this  year  the  war  was  conduct- 
ed with  great  energy.  The  Pequods  were  en- 
trenched in  two  flrong  forts,  one  of  which  was 
fituated  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Myflic.  The 
other,  eight  miles  further,  was  the  head  quarters 
of  Saffacus,  their  fachem.  It  was  determined  firft 
to  afTault  Myftic  fort.  One  of  the  Pequods,  who 
refided  with  the  Narraganfets,  conducted  the  ar- 
my in  their  march  to  the  deft  ruction  of  his  coun- 
trymen. The  attack  commenced  on  the  morning 
of  the  22d  of  May.  The  Indians  after  a  midnight 
revel  were  buried  in  a  deep  ileep.  The  barking 
of  a  dog  difcovered  the  approach  of  their  ene- 

*  Hukbard't  Narrative  of  the  Indian  Wars}  p.  21,     Chalmsrt 
$    190.     Trumbu//t  Pol.  L  p.  65. 


NEw-ENG    ANIX  71 

mies.  The  battle  was  warm  and  bloody;  and  1637. 
though  the  Pequods  defended  themfelves  with  the 
fpirit  of  a  people  contending  for  their  country  and 
exigence,  yet  the  Englifh  gained  a  complete  vic- 
tory. The  fort  was  taken  ;  about  feventy  wig- 
wams were  burnt,  and  five  or  fix  hundred  Indians 
perifhed.  Of  all  who  belonged  to  the  fort,  feven 
only  efcaped,  and  feven  were  made  prifoners.* 

SASSACUS  and  his  warriors  at  Pequod  were  fil- 
led with  confirmation  at  the  news  of  this  defeat. 
They  demolifhed  their  principal  fort,  burnt  their 
wigwams,  and  fled  with  precipitation  to  the  weft- 
ward.  Captain  Stoughton,  from  Maffachufetts, 
arrived  at  Saybrook  the  latter  part  of  June.  He 
with  his  forces  joined  Captain  Mafon,  and  fur- 
rounded  a  large  body  of  Indians  in  a  fwamp  near 
Fairfield.  A  fachem,  with  a  company  of  two 
hundred  old  men,  women  and  children,  came  vol- 
untarily and  furrendered  to  the  Englifh.  Terms 
of  peace  were  offered  to  the  reft.  The  Pequod 
warriors  rejected  them  with  difdain,  and,  upon 
the  renewal  of  hoftilities,  fought  with  obftinate 
bravery.  They  were,  however,  overpoweied  by 
the  Englifh.  Part  efcaped  by  the  darknefs  of  the 
night ;  the  reft  were  killed  or  taken  captive.  Saf- 
facus  fled  to  the  Mohawks,  by  whom  he  was 
murdered.  Many  of  the  Indian  captives  were  fent 
to  Bermudas,  and  fold  as  ilaves.  About  feven 
hundred  of  the  Pequods  were  deftroyed.  This 
fuccefsful  expedition  terrified  the  remaining  In- 

*   Hutchinfon,    VoL    I,  /.    58,  60,  76,  77,  78.     Irumbull, 
Vol.  L  />,  78. 


fe  ri  I  S  f  0  R  Y    0  F 

1637.  dians  to  fuch  a  degree,  as   retrained  them  from 
*^^  open  hoftilities  nearly  forty  years.* 

THE  Fequod  war  was  the  moft  formidable  at- 
tempt ever  made  by  the  Indians  to  extirpate  the 
Englifh,  confidering  the  infant  ftate  of  the  colo- 
nies. On  this  occafion  Mr.  Roger  Williams  did 
New-England  efiential  fervice.  By  his  great  ap- 
plication he  made  himfelf  matter  of  the  Indian  lan- 
guage ;  and  his  exertions  prevented  the  Narragan- 
fet  fachems  from  joining  the  Pequods.f 

1638.  THOUGH  furrounded  with  dangers,  and  embar- 
raffed  with  a  variety  of  difficulties,  yet  our  ancef- 
tors  paid  great  attention  to  the  interefts  of  learn- 
ing*     "  They  were,"    fays  an   eminent  author, 
*c  convinced  by  their  knowledge  of  human  nature, 
derived  from  hiftory  and  their  own  experience, 
that  nothing  could  preferve  their  pofterity  from 
the  encroachments  of  tyranny  but  knowledge  dif- 
fufed  generally  through  the  whole  body  of  the  peo- 
ple.    Their  civil  and  religious  principles,  there- 
fore, confpired  to  prompt  them  to  ufe  every  mea- 
fure,  and  take  every  precaution  in  their  power  to 
propagate  and  perpetuate  knowledge.     They  made 
tin  early  provifion  by  law,  that  every  town  confift- 
ing  of  fo  many  families,    fhould  be  always  fur- 
nifhed  with  a  grammar  fchool.     They  made  it  a 
crime  for   fuch  a  town  to  be  deftitute  of  a  gram- 
mar fchoolmafter  for  a  few  months,  and  fubjecT:- 
cd  it  to  a  heavy  penalty."]; 

*  Hubbard,  /».  4 1 .      f  Hopkins'  Gazette. 

J  Adams  on  the  Feudal  and  Canon    Law.      "Bojlon 


NEW- ENGLAND.  73 

IN  the  year  1636,  the  general  court  of  Mafla- 
chufetts  contemplated  a  public  fchool  at  Newtown  ; 
and  appropriated  four  hundred  pounds  for  that  ob- 
ject. But  Mr.  John  Harvard,  minifter  of  Charlef- 
town,  dying  two  years  after,  increafed  this  furn  by 
the  addition  of  a  great  part  of  his  eftate,  valued  at 
feven  or  eight  hundred  pounds.  Thus  endowed^ 
this  fchool  was  exalted  to  a  college.  Like  thofe 
of  Europe  it  took  the  name  of  its  founder ;  and 
Newtown  was  changed  to  Cambridge,  in  compli- 
ment to  the  college,  and  in  memory  of  the  place 
where  many  of  our  fathers  received  their  educa- 
tion.* 

AFTER  the  college  was  creeled,  a  foundation  1639. 
was  laid  for  a  public  library ;  the  firft  furniture  of  VlXV%J 
which  was  the  works  of  Dr.  William  Ames,  the 
famous  profeflbr  of  divinity  at  Franequar,  whofe 
widow  and  children,  after  the  Doctor's  death, 
tranfported  themfelves  and  their  effects  to  New- 
England.  Several  Englifh  gentlemen  made  valua- 
ble prefents,  both  of  books  and  mathematical  in- 
flruments,  to  this  new  univerfity.  Before  the 
clofe  of  the  century,  the  number  of  books  it  con- 
tained amounted  to  between  three  and  four  thou- 
fand  volumes.! 

THIS  year  the  general  court  granted  the  in-  1 640, 
come  of  Charleftown  ferry  as  a  perpetual  revenue 
to  the  college ;  and  the  fame  year  the  Rev.   Hen- 
ry D  under  was  appointed  prefident,  there  having 

*  Clarlts  Letters  to  a,  Student  in  the  Univerfitj  of  Cambri<iget 

Mr* 

\  AW,  P'cL  L  $•  202.  K. 


74  HISTORY    OF 

been  before  that  time  only  a  preceptor  or  profef- 
for,  and  an  affiftant. 

1642.  ABOUT  two  years  after,  the  firft  clafs  fmifhecl 
their  literary  courfe,  and  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Arts  was  conferred  on  them.  The  general 
court  pailed  an  aft  conflituting  a  board  of  over- 
feers,  "  for  the  well  ordering  and  managing  of  the 
faid  college,  confiding  of  the  governor  and  depu- 
ty-governor for  the  time  being,  and  all  the  magif- 
trates  of  the  jurifdictlon,  together  with  the  teach- 
ing elders  of  Cambridge,  Watertown,  Charlef- 
town,  Bofton,  Roxbury,  and  Dorchefter,  and 
the  prefident  of  the  college  for  the  time  being." 

IN  1650,  the  college  received  its  firft  charter 
from  the  court,  appointing  a  corporation  confift- 
ing  of  feven  perfons,  viz.  a  prefident,  five  fellows 
and  a  treafurer,  to  have  perpetual  fucceffion  by 
election  to  their  offices.  Their  ftyle  is,  "  The  Pre- 
fident and  Fellows  of  Harvard  College/*  To  this 
body  were  committed  all  the  affairs  of  the  col- 
lege, and  they  have  the  care  of  all  donations  and 
bequefts  to  the  inftitution.  After  this  charter  was 
granted,  the  board  of  overfeers  continued  a  dif- 
tincl  branch  of  the  government ;  and  thefe  two 
bodies  form  the  legiflature  of  the  college.* 

IN  the  mean  time  the  colony  of  MafTachufetts 
was  increafmg  ;  and  a  number  of  new  townihips 
were  formed.  In  1637,  Dedham  was  incorporat- 
ed into  a  townfhip,  and  in  1638  a  church  was 
there  gathered.  In  1650,  Medfield  was  made  a 

*  Marft.  Vol.  I.  p,  416. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  75 

townmip.*     The  other  colonies  were  alfo  increaf- 
ing  in  riches  and  population. 

IN  1644,  South-Hampton,  on  Long-Ill  and,  was, 
by  the  advice  of  the  commiffioners,  taken  under 
the  jurifdiction  of  Connecticut.  This  town  was 
fettled  in  1640.  The  inhabitants  of  Lynn,  in  Maf- 
fachufetts,  became  fo  much  fhaitened  at  home,  that, 
about  the  year  1639,  they  contracted  with  the 
agent  of  Lord  Sterling,  for  a  tract  of  land  on 
the  weft  fide  of  Long-Ifland.  They  alfo  made  a 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  commenced  a  fettle- 
ment ;  but  the  Dutch  gave  them  fo  much  trou- 
ble, that  they  were  obliged  to  defert  it  and  re- 
move further  eaftward.  They  collected  nearly  an 
hundred  families,  and  effected  a  permanent  fettle- 
ment  at  South-Hampton.  By  the  advice  of  the 
general  court  of  Maffachufetts,  they  entered  into  a 
combination  among  themfelves  to  maintain  civil 
government.  A  number  of  them  regularly  form- 
ed themfelves  into  a  church  ftate,  before  they  re- 
moved to  the  ifland,  and  called  Mr.  Abraham 
Pierfon  to  be  their  paflor.f 

FOUR  diftinct  governments  (including  one  at  1640. 
Kittery,  on  the  north  fide  of  the  river)  were  form- 
ed  on  the  feveiai  branches  of  Pifcataqua.  Thefe 
being  only  voluntary  affociations,  and  liable  to  be 
broken,  or  fubdivided,  on  the  firft  popular  dif- 
content,  there  could  be  no  fafety  in  their  continu- 
ance. The  molt  confiderate  amongft  them  ad- 
vifed  to  apply  to  Maffachufetts,  and  folicit  their 

*  Dexter  j  Ceniury  Sermon,  1788,     f.  Trumlull,  Vol.  L  p.  1 49. 


76  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

^640.  prcteclion.     The  fubfequent  year  the  fettlements 
^^  voluntarily  fubmitted  themfelves  to  the  jurifdiction 
of  that  government,    upon    condition   that   they 
niight  enjoy  all  the  privileges  with  the  inhabitants 
of  Maffachufetts,  and  have  a  court  of  juftice  erect- 
ed amongft  them.     An  union  having  been  formed 
between  the  fettlements  on  the  Pifcataqua,  and  the 
colony  of  Maifachufetts,  their  hiftory,  for  the  fuo 
ceeding  forty  years,  is  in  a  great  meafure  blended.5* 
1641-      AT  this  period,  Sir   Ferdinando  Gorges  incor- 
^^  porated  the  plantation  of  Gorgiana  into  a   city, 
to  be  governed  by  a  mayor  and  eight  aldermen  ; 
his  coufm,  Thomas  Gorges,  was  appointed  mayor 
of  the  city,  but  had  no  fucceflbr  in  the  office. f 

THE  civil  diflenfions  in  England,  with  the  fub- 
fequent events,  obliged  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  to 
relinquifh  the  idea  of  obtaining  a  general  govern- 
ment over  the  colonies.  He  had  ever  been  a  firm 
royalift,  and  engaged  personally  in  the  fervice  of 
the  crown,  till  his  own  ruin  was  involved  in  that 
of  the  royal  caufe  which  he  efpoufed.  From  the 
commencement  of  the  civil  wars,  Gorges  neglect- 
ed the  concerns  of  his  plantation.  The  towns  in 
the  Province  of  Maine  fell  into  a  ftate  of  confiu 
fion.  Moft  of  the  commiffioners,  who  had  been 
appointed  to  govern  the  province,  deferted  it ; 
and  the  remaining  inhabitants  were,  in  1649, 
obliged  to  combine  for  their  own  fecurity.  The 
Maffachufetts  embraced  this  opportunity  to  encour- 
age the  difpofition  which  prevailed  in  many  of  the 
f  Belknfipt  Jrol.  L  f.  54.  f  Sutiivqn,  p.  238, 


NEW.  EN  GLAND.  77 

inhabitants,  to  fubmit  to  their  jurifdiction.  As  a  1641. 
powerful  motive  to  induce  them  to  take  this  Hep,  ^^ 
they  granted  them  greater  privileges,  than  their 
own  colonifts  enjoyed,  admitting  them  to  be  free- 
men upon  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  only,  and 
not  requiring  them  to  be  of  the  communion  of 
any  church.  After  this  province  had  fubmitted  to 
Maffachufetts,  in  1652,  it  was  made  a  county  by 
the  name  of  Yorklhire,  and  the  towns  fent  repre- 
fentatives  to  the  general  court  at  Bofton.  Though 
the  majority  wer$  perfuaded  to  confent,  yet  great 
oppofition  was  made  by  fome  principal  perfons, 
who  feverely  reproached  Maflachufetts  for  the 
meafures  they  had  taken  to  reduce  the  province. 
The  people,  however,  in  general,  were  content- 
ed, and  experienced  the  benefit  of  the  regulation.* 

So  great  was  the  diligence  and  induftry  of  the  1 642, 
New-England  fettlers,  that  they  had  already  fet- 
tied  fifty  towns  and  villages,  erected  between 
thirty  and  forty  churches,  and  a  larger  number  of 
parfonage  houfes.  They  had  built  a  cattle,  forts, 
prifons,  &c.  and  had  founded  a  college,  all  at 
their  own  expence.  They  had  furnimed  them- 
felves  with  comfortable  dwelling-houfes,  had  laid 
out  gardens,  orchards,  corn-fields,  pattures  and 
meadows,  and  lived  under  the  regular  adminif- 
tration  of  their  own  government  and  laws. 

THE  population  of  the  country  increafed  with 
fuch  rapidity,  that  it  was  time  to  take  poifeflion  of 
$Jie  iflands  upon  the  coaft.  Mr.  Mayhew  having 

f  Relknaf  s  Awican  BiografJ.y,  p.  390.  Gordon,  Vol.  /./.  40. 


78  HISTORY     OF 

1642.  obtained  a  grant  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  Nantucket 
^^^  and  Elizabeth's  Ifles,  fettled   his  fon  in  the  former 

of  thefe  iflands,  with  a  fmall  number  of  planters.* 

1643.  THE  New-England  colonies  were  fenfible  of  the 
^^^  advantages  of  an  union,  at  a  very  early  period. 

The  commiflioners  from  Malfachufetts,  Plymouth, 
Connecticut  and  New-Haven,  held  both  ftated 
and  occafional  meetings,  and  kept  regular  journals 
of  their  proceedings,  which  have  acquired  the 
name  of  the  records  of  the  United  Colonies  of 
New-England.  Rhode-Ifland  was  defirous  of  join- 
ing in  the  confederacy,  but  Maffachufetts,  for  par^ 
ticular  reafons,  refufed  to  admit  their  coinmif. 
fioners.f 

1644.  THE  civil   wars,  which   raged   in   England  at 
^^^  this  period,   retarded  for  a  time  the  further  in- 

creafe  of  the  colonies.  Though  the  fettlers  of 
New-England 'were  on  the  parliament  fide,  their 
fituation  precluded  them  from  taking  an  active 
part.  As  diftant  fpe&ators,  they  beheld  their  na- 
tive country  involved  in  the  horrors  of  civil  war, 
while  they  enjoyed  the  bleffmgs  of  peace  and 
plenty  in  their  American  afylum.J 

1645.  THE  affairs  of  New-England  were  at  this  peri- 
od  in  fo  flourifhing  a  fituation,  that  the   people 
were  intoxicated  with  profperity,  and  the  liberty 
they  enjoyed  threatened  their  ruin.     The  inhabit* 
ants  of  Hingham,  in  Suffolk  county,  having  brok- 
en the  peace,  Mr.  Winthrop,  the  deputy-governor 
of  Maflachufetts,  committed  the  rioters  to  prifon 

*  Ntal,  Vol.l.p.   218,  219,     f  Hazard^  Hifl.  Collefiions* 
%Neal,  Vol.  I.p,  238. 


NEW- ENGLAND,  79 

for  refuting  to  give  bond  to  appear  at  the  quarter  1645. 
feflions,  and  to  anfwer  for  words  fpoken  in  defam- 
ation  of  the  general  court  of  Maflachufetts.  This 
produced  a  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town,  figned  by  feven  of  them,  of  whom  fix,  be- 
ing cited  to  the  court,  appealed  to  the  Englifh  par- 
liament, and  offered  bail  for  {landing  to  its  award. 
The  members  of  the  general  court  were  fenlible 
that  this  was  a  dangerous  precedent,  and  fined  and 
imprifoned  the  petitioners,  whofe  chief  complaints 
were  leveled  againft  the  deputy-governor  Win- 
throp.  The  general  court,  however,  with  a  true 
republican  fpirit,  commanded  Winthrop  to  defcend 
from  his  dignity  on  the  bench,  to  clear  his  con- 
duct at  the  bar.  He  complied,  and  made  the  fol- 
lowing fpeech,  which  the  authors  of  the  Univer- 
fal  Hiftory  obferve,  "  is  equal  to  any  thing  of  an- 
tiquity, whether  we  confider  it  as  coming  from  a 
philofopher  or  a  magiftrate." 

"  GENTLEMEN, 

"  I  WILL  not  look  back  to  the  pad  proceedings 
of  this  court,  nor  to  the  perfons  therein  concern- 
ed;  I  am  fatisfied  that  I  was  publicly  accufed,  and 
that  I  am  now  publicly  acquitted  j  but  give  me 
leave  to  fay  fomething  on  the  occafion,  that  may 
rectify  the  opinion  of  the  people,  from  whom  thefe 
diftempers  of  the  ftate  have  arifen.  The  queftions, 
that  have  troubled  the  country  of  late  have  been 
about  the  authority  of  the  magiftrate,  and  the  lib- 
erty of  the  people.  Magiftracy  is  certainly  an  ap- 
pointment of  God,  and  I  entreat  you  to  confider 


8o  HISTORY   OF 

1645.  that  you  ch'ufe  your  rulers  from  among  yourfelves;=? 
and  that  we  take  an  oath  to  govern  you  according 
to  God's  laws  and  the  laws  of  our  country,  to  the 
bed  of  our  {kill  ;  if  we  commit  errors,  not  willing- 
ly, but  for  want  of  ability,  you  ought  to  bear  with 
us.  Nor  would  I  have  you  miflake  your  own  lib- 
erty. There  is  a  liberty  in  doing  what  we  lift, 
without  regard  to  law  or  juftice  ;  this  liberty  is  in- 
deed inconfiftent  with  authority  ;  but  civil,  moral, 
federal  liberty  confifts  in  every  one's  enjoying  his 
property,  and  having  the  benefit  of  the  lav/s  of  his 
country  ;  this  is  what  you  ought  to  contend  for 
•with  the  hazard  of  your  lives  ;  but  this  is  very  con- 
fident with  a  due  fubje&iori  to  the  civil  magif- 
trate,  and  paying  him  that  refpecl  which'  his  cha- 
racter requires.*'* 

THIS  noble  fpeech  was  of  equal  benefit  to  the 
reputation  of  Mr.  Winthrop,  and  the  peace  of  the 
colony.  It  fettled  him  firmly  in  the  efleem  and 
the  affections  of  the  people,  and  the  general  court. 
A  feverer  fine  was  added  to  the  puniflimen't  of  the 
offenders  ;  and,  by  his  well  timed  condefcenfion, 
the  governor  became  more  powerful  than  ever. 
New-England  was  at  this  period  in  a  ftate  of  per- 
fc£l  tranquility,  which  was  improved  for  the  conver- 
fion  of  the  Indians,  an  account  of  which  will  be 
given  in  the  fubfequent  chapter. 

*  Modern  Univerfal  Hilary  t  VoL  XIX,  p.  292,  293.  Ma- 
tbtrt  Book  II,  p,  12,  13. 


NEW-  EN  GLAND.  Si 


CHAPTER     VI. 

Of  the  natives  of  New-England,  and  their  converfion 
to  Chrijlianity  by  the  Rev.  Mn  Eliot.  A  fociety 
is  ejhiblijhsd  for  propagating  the  gofpel  In  New- 
England.  The  town  of  Natick  built.  An  Indian 
church  formed.  Converjion  of  the  Indians  at  Mar- 
tha9 s  Vineyard,  and  at  Plymouth.  Number  of  In- 
dian churches.  Of  the  fynod  held  at  Cambridge, 
and  their  platform  of  church  difcipline.  The  colo- 
nies of  MaJJachufetts,  Connecticut ,  New-Haven 
and  Rhode-JJIand,  ejiablijb  a  code  of  laws. 


w, 


HEN  the  European  adventur- 
ers firft  fettled  in  New-England,  the  natives  were 
a  wild  and  favage  people.  Their  mental  powers 
were  wholly  uncultivated ;  their  paflions  ftrong, 
impetuous  and  ungoverned  ;  and  they  were  im- 
merfed  in  the  thickeil  gloom  of  ignorance  and  fu- 
perflition. 

THEIR  religious  ideas  were  extremely  weak 
and  confufed.  They  admitted,  however,  the  ex- 
i Hence  of  one  Supreme  Being,  whom  they  denom- 
inated the  Great  Spirit,  the  Great  Man  above,  and 
appeared  to  have  fome  general,  but  very  obfcure 
ideas  of  his  government,  providence,  univerfal 
power  and  dominion, 

THE  immortality  of  the  foul  was  univerfally  be- 
lieved among  the  Indian  tribes.  Hence  it  was 


Bs  HISTORYOF 

their  general  cuflom  to  bury  with  the  dead  their 
bows,  arrows,  fpears,  and  fome  venifon,  which 
they  fuppofed  would  be  beneficial  to  them  in  a  fu- 
ture ftate.* 

THEY  believed  in  a  number  of  fubordinate  dei- 
ties. Their  priells  began  and  dictated  th^ir  reli- 
gious worfhip,  and  the  people  joined  alternately  in 
a  laborious  exercife,  till  they  were  extremely  fa- 
tigued, and  the  priefts  exhausted  even  to  fainting.! 
They  had  neither  temples,  altars,  nor  any  fixed 
feafons  for  devotional  exercifes. 

1646.  THE  planters  of  New-England  were  afliduouf- 
ly  engaged  in  endeavouring  their  converfion  to 
Chriftianky.  This  was  one  of  the  obligations  of 
their  patent,  and  one  of  the  profeffed  defigns  of 
their  ietllement.  Among  thofe,  who  exerted  them- 
felves  with  the  greateft  energy  in  this  work,  the 
Rev.  John  Eliot,  of  Roxbury,  claims  a  diitinguifh- 
ed  rank  ;  and  he  was  (tiled  the  apoflle  of  the 
American  Indians. 

IN  order  to  profecute  this  benevolent  defign; 
he  applied  himfelf  with  perfevering  diligence  to 
fludying  the  Indian  language,  and  became  fo  com- 
plete  a  mafler  of  it,  as  to  publiih  an  Indian  gram* 
mar.  Thus  prepared,  he  began,  on  the  28th  of 
October,  to  inftrucl:  the  natives  in  the  Chriiliau 
religion  at  Nonantum,  which,  at  prefent,  is  in- 
cluded in  the  town  of  Newton.  His  reception 

*  William?  Hi/for)  of 'Vermont ',  p.  174. 

•\  Roger  William?  Key  to  the  Language  of  the  Indians  of  Ne<w • 
England.  Sff  Col/efiions  cf  the  MaJ'acbufetts  Hiftorical  Swety 
for  1794.. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  83 

among  them  encouraged  him  to  hope  for   fuccefs.  1646. 
The  Indians  welcomed  his  arrival,  heard  him  with 
attention,  and  afked  a  variety  of  queftions  refpecl- 
ing  the  important  fubje&s  of  his  difcourfe. 

ACTUATED  by  a  difmterefted  concern  for  the 
falvation  of  the  natives,  Mr.  Eliot  continued  inde- 
fatigably  to  labor  for  their  converfion.  He  fre- 
quently preached  to  the  different  tribes,  and,  in 
order  to  facilitate  his  defign,  endeavoured  to  civil- 
ize their  manners,  and  teach  them  a  more  regu- 
lar method  of  living.  He  procured  the  eftablifh- 
ment  of  fchools  to  inftruct  them  in  reading  and 
writing,  and  fupplied  them  with  fuitable  fchool 
books,  which  he  tranflated  into  their  language.* 

IN  his  miniflerial  capacity  he  travelled  through 
all  parts  of  Plymouth  and  Maifachufetts,  as  far  as 
Cape-Cod.  In  thefe  fatiguing  excurfions  his  life  was 
in  continual  danger,  from  the  inveterate  enmity  of 
the  Indian  princes  and  priefls,  who  were  bent  up- 
on his  deftru&ion,  and  would  certainly  have  fub- 
je&ed  him  to  the  mod  tormenting  death,  if  they 
had  not  been  awed  by  the  power  and  flrength  of 
the  Englifh  colonies.  However,  he  received  innu- 
merable infults  and  affronts  from  the  Indian  fa- 
chems  and  priefts,  who  had  confpired  to  retard 
the  progrefs  of  Chriftianity. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  various  difcouragements, 
the  Chriftian  religion  fpread  both  in  MafTachufetts 
and  Plymouth.  The  new  converts  were  diftin- 
guiflied  by  the  name  of  the  praying  Indians.  After 

*  Mailer ,  Book  II L  p.  1 96. 


84  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

1  646.  they  renounced  paganifm,  they  abandoned   their 


favage  way  of  living,  and  imitated  the  habits  and 
manners  of  their  civilized  neighbors.* 
1649.  IN  order  to  encourage  the  defign  of  converting 
^^  the  Indians,  the  parliament  of  England  this  year 
pafled  an  aft,  incorporating  a  number  of  perfons, 
by  the  name  of  the  Prefident  and  Society'for  pro- 
pagating the  Gofpel  in  New-England.  The  affairs 
of  this  fociety  were  conducted  by  a  prefident.,  a 
treafurer,  and  fourteen  affiftants.  By  authority  of 
this  act  of  Parliament,  a  collection  was  made  in 
all  the  parimes  in  England,  which  produced  fuch 
a  fum  of  money,  as  enabled  the  fociety  to  pur- 
chafe  an  eftate  in  land  of  between  five  and  fix 
hundred  pounds  a  year.  Their  firft  president  was 
Judge  Steele,  and  firft  treafurer  Mr.  Henry  Afh- 
hurft. 

UPON  the  reiteration  of  King  Charles  II.  they 
folicited  and  obtained  a  new  charter,  which  or- 
dained, "  that  there  be  forever  hereafter,  with- 
in the  kingdom  of  England,  a  fociety  or  company 
for  propagating  the  gofpel  in  New-England,  and 
the  parts  adjacent  in  America."!  The  members 
of  this  fociety  were  not  to  exceed  forty-five.  They 
were  made  a  body  corporate,  and  empowered  to 
appoint  commiflioners  refiding  in  New-England 
to  tranfact  affairs  relating  to  the  benevolent  de- 
fign of  converting  the  natives.  The  new  charter 
iubftituted  a  governor  for  a  prefident,  and  the 

*  Mather,  p  .  197.      See  Gookinf  liiftoricalColieftion,    p.  i"'o. 
-}-  See  thij  charter  in  the  appendix   to  B  tribe  i  Life  of  $tylct  t* 
3!9-  335- 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  85 

Honorable  Robert   Boyle    was    eleded   to   that  1649. 
office.* 

IN  1650,  the  corporation  were  at  the  expence 
of  ereding  another  building  near  the  former  col- 
lege,  in  order  to  give  the  Indians  a  liberal  educa- 
tion. But  though  a  few  of  them  were  there  edu- 
cated, yet  it  was  found  impracticable  to  perfuade 
the  Indian  youth  to  a  love  of  literature. 

THIS  year  a  number  of  Mr.  Eliot's  converts 
united  and  built  a  town,  which  they  called  Natick. 
Having  formed  a  fettlement,  they  eftablifhed  a 
civil  government  upon  the  fcripture  plan.  The 
new  converts  continued  feveral  years  under  the 
charader  of  catechumens,  during  which  time  Mr. 
Eliot,  and  fome  other  divines,  were  indefatigable 
in  intruding  them  in  the  principles  of  Chriflian- 
ity.  At  length,  upon  their  repeated  defir.es,  after 
a  flrid  examination,  they  were  formed  into  a  re- 
gular church.  Mr.  Eliot  was  held  in  the  higheft 
veneration  by  tjie  new  converts ;  they  loved  him 
\vith  ardent  affedion,  exerted  themfelves  to  ferve 
kjm,  and  cpnfnlted  Jijm  as  an  oracle  in  all  difficult 
cafes,  f 

MR.  Eliot  labored  with  perfevering  induftiy  te 
tranflate  the  Bible  into  the  Indian  language.  In 
the  year  1664,  he  accomplifhed  this  arduous  work, 
which  does  immortal  honor  to  his  memory.J 

WHILST  Mr.  Eliot  was  employed  in  converting  1646, 

tjie  Indians  within  the   MafTachufetts  jurifdidion, 

*  AW,  Vol.  L  p.  280. 

•f-  Mather,  p.   196       See  Letters  from  Mr.  Eliot  to  Mr. 
$?e  Colli>£io?is  of  the  Hi  ft  or  teal  Society  for  I7Q4.. 

•       '^         *•        *        T7*"/5         «fx"»7/*«  XI 

Hijloncul  Lolle8iont 


86  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

1646.  Mr.  Leverich  was  promoting  the  fame  benevolent 
defign  in  Plymouth,  and  Mr.  Mayhew  in  Mar- 
tha's  Vineyard,  Nantucket  and  Elizabeth's  Illes. 
The  firft  convert  to  Chriflianity  in  Martha's  Vine- 
yard was  one  Hiaccomes,  a  man  of  about  thir- 
ty years  of  age.  His  religion  expofed  him  to 
the  contempt  of  his  countrymen,  till,  in  the  year 
1645,  a  general  ficknefs  prevailed  in  the  ifland, 
from  which  Hiaccornes  and  his  family  were  ex- 
empted. This  event  induced  the  Indians  to  en- 
tertain a  favorable  opinion  of  the  Chriftian  relig* 
ion.  A  number  of  them  delired  to  receive  in- 
flrudtions  from  Hiaccomes.  Some  time  after,  the 
fachem  fent  for  Mr.  Mayhew,  and  requefted 
him,  in  his  own  and  in  his  people's  names,  to 
teach  them  the  principles  of  Chriftianity,  in  the 
Indian  language.  Mr.  Mayhew  readily  complied, 
and  his  labors  were  crowned  with  great  fuccefs. 
He  informs  us,  that  numbers  of  Indian  families 
reforted  to  him,  <e  defiling  that  they  and  their 
houfes  might  ferve  the  Lord ;  that  eight  priefts 
and  two  hundred  and  eighty  adult  perfons  had  eiru 
braced  the  Chriftian  faith."* 

MR.  Mayhew's  method  of  inftru&ing  the  na- 
tives was  fimilar  to  Mr.  Eliot's.  He  catechifed 
their  children,  prayed,  preached  and  fung  pfalms 
in  their  public  meetings,  and  then  anfwered  their 
queftions.  He  purfued  his  -deiign  with  unwearied 
application  for  ten  or  fourteen  years  ;  till  at  length 
intending  a  fhort  voyage  to  England,  he  failed  in 

*  Majbevfs  Letter  to  the  Corporation,  1651,  />,  31. 


NEW. ENGLAND.  8 

1657  ;  but  the  fhlp  and  pafiengers  were  both  loft. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Mayhew  was  exceedingly  la- 
mented by  his  Indian  converts.* 

MR.  Mayhew's  father,  though  no  clergyman, 
aflifted  his  fon  in  the  execution  of  his  million.  By 
his  influence,  within  a  few  years  a  civil  govern- 
ment was  eftablifhed  among  the  new  converts. 
The  princes,  with  their  nobles,  fubmitted  to  the  1650 
king  of  England,  referving,  as  fubordinate  princes, 
the  privilege  of  governing  their  people,  according 
to  the  laws  of  God  and  the  king. 

IN  1666,  three  Indian  churches  were  eftablifh- 
ed. One  at  Plymouth,  another  at  Nantucket,  and 
one  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  under  the  paftoral  care 
of  Hiaccomes.f 

THE  light  of  the  gofpel  was  introduced  into 
Nantucket,  and  an  Indian  church  eftablifhed  in 
that  iiland,  under  the  paftoral  care  of  Mr.  John 
Gibbs.J 

THE  Rev.  Abraham  Pieribn,  and  the  Rev. 
James  Fitch,  preached  the  gofpel  to  the  Connec- 
ticut Indians.  But  neither  of  thefe  gentlemen  met 
with  great  fuccefs. 

MR.  Roger  Williams  was  highly  venerated  and 
beloved  by  the  Indians,  and  endeavoured  to  con- 
vert the  natives  of  Providence  and  Rhode-Iiland  to 
the  Chriftian  religion ;  but  his  exertions  were, 
in  general,  unfuccefsful. 

MR.  Richard  Bourne  preached  the  gofpel  to 
the  Indians  at  Plymouth,  and  converted  large 

*  Ntal,  Vol.  I.  p.  266.     \lbid.     f  Gwkint  Hijl,  CdleSion. 


g3  HISTORY     0? 

numbers.  In  the  year  1685,  the  praying  Indians 
in  that  plantation  amounted  to  fourteen  hundred 
and  thirty-nine,  befides  children  under  twelve 
years  of  age,  who  were  fuppofed  to  have  been 
more  than  three  times  the  number.* 

MR.  Eliot,  in  a  letter  to  the  Hon.  Mr.  Boyle, 
dated  1684,  afferts,  that  the  Indians  had  four 
itated  places  for  worfhip  in  Maflachufetts,  fix  in 
Nantucket,  ten  in  Plymouth,  and  ten  in  Martha's 
Vineyard. 

A  I.ETTUR  of  Dr.  Increafe  Mather,  to  Dr. 
Leufden,  of  Utrecht,  dated  1687,  gives  an  idea 
of  the  progrefs  of  the  gofpel  among  the  Indians 
for  twenty  years.  In  this  letter  he  fays,  that 
u  there  are  fix  churches  of  baptifed  Indians  in 
New-England,  and  twelve  affemblies  of  catechu- 
mens. There  are  twenty-four  Indian  preachers, 
and  four  Englifh  minifters,  who  preach  in  the  In- 
dian language." 

DR.  Cotton  Mather  afierts,  that  in  the  year 
1695,  there  were  three  thoufand  adult  Indian  con- 
verts in  the  iflands  of  Martha's  Vineyard  and 
Nantucket.  That  there  were  three  churches  in 
Nantucket,  and  five  conftant  affemblies.  That  in 
Maflachufetts  alone  there  were  above  thirty  Indian 
congregations,  and  more  than  three  thoufand  con- 
verts. ;  and  that  their  numbers  were  very  cenfider- 
able  in  other  parts  of  the  country.! 

IT  does  not  appear  that  the  Chriilian  Indian? 
returned  to  paganifm,  but  that  they  gradually 

*  Gookin?  H-forical  CoHefih*,  p.  201 .     f  Ma tktr,  /.  294. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  89 

rafted  away,  till  at  length  they  became  almofl 
extind. 

THE  religious  character  of  the  inhabitants  of 
New-England  was  alfo  exhibited,  by  their  folici- 
tude  to  eftablifh  their  churches  on  what  they  fup- 
pofed  to  be  the  fcripture  foundation.  In  1648, 
a  fynod  was  convened  at  Cambridge,  for  the 
formation,  or  rather  declaration  of  their  churches' 
faith,  order  and  difcipline.  This  fynod  adopted 
the  confeflion  of  faith  publifhed  by  the  aiTembly  of 
divines  at  Weitminfter,  and  recommended  it  to 
the  confideration  and  acceptance  of  the  New-Eng- 
land churches. 

THE  principal  objeft  of  the  fynod  was,  to  agree 
upon  a  model  of  church  difcipline.  To  accom- 
plifti  this  defign,  they  chofe  the  Rev.  John  Cot- 
ton, Richard  Mather  and  Ralph  Partridge,  three 
celebrated  divines,  to  form  feparately  a  fciiptural 
plan  of  church  government.  All  thefe  perform- 
ances were  prefented  to  the  fynod  for  their  revi- 
fion  and  correction  ;  and  from  them  the  New- 
•  England  platform  of  church  difcipline  was  colled- 
ed  j  and  being  approved  of  by  the  majority  of 
the  fynod,  was  recommended  to  the  general  court 
and  to  the  churches.* 

THE  fundamental  article  in  the  platform  of 
church  difcipline,  is,  that  each  particular  church 
has  authority  from  Chi  id,  for  exercifihg  govern- 
ment, and  enjoying  all  the  ordinances  of  worfhip 
within  itfelf.  Ecclefiaftical  councils  were  to  be 

*  Matbtr,  Book  P.  /.  22. 
M 


9o  HISTORY    OF 

convoked  for  advice,  on  emergent  occafions.  The 
platform  maintained,  that  the  offices  of  paftors, 
teachers  and  ruling  elders  were  diflinct.  Paf- 
tors  were  to  attend  to  exhortations,  and  teachers  to 
doclrine ;  yet  both  were  to  adminifter  ordinances? 
and  church  cenfures.  Ruling  elders  were,  in  a 
fpecial  manner,  to  aflift  the  paftors  and  teachers 
in  the  difcipline  of  the  church.* 

IN  the  next  general  council  in  New-England, 
ten  years  after,  the  ministers  and  churches  of  Con- 
neclicut  and  New-Haven  were  prefent,  and  unit- 
ed in  the  form  of  church  government,  which  it  re- 
commended. The  churches  of  New-England,  in 
general,  acceded  to  this  platform  of  church  difci- 
pline for  more  than  thirty  years.  This,  with  the 
ecclefiaftical  lav/s,  formed  the  religious  conflitu- 
tion  of  the  colonies. 

WHILST  the  colonies  were  increafmg  in  num- 
bers and  fettlements,  regular  codes  of  laws  were 
neceffary  for  the  advancement,  order  and  happi- 
nefs  of  their  refpective  jurifdi&ions. 

IN  the  year  1642,  the  capital  laws  of  Connecti- 
cut were  nearly  completed,  and  put  upon  record. 
THE  feveral  paflages  of  fcripture  on  which  they 
were  founded  were  particularly  noticed  in  the 
ftatute. 

AT  a  general  court  in  New-Haven,  the  5th  of 
April,  1643,  a  confiderable  progrefs  was  made  in 
the  laws  of  that  colony.  Deputies  were  fent  to 

*  See  the  platform  of  church  government  t  in  Mather's  Magna* 
//<*,  Book  V*  p.  23.  See  an  abridgement  of  the  -platform  in 
Ned's  Hijloryt  Vol.  11.  Appendix >  /.  294. 


NEW. EN  GLAND.  91 

die  general  court,  and  an  addition  was  made  to 
the  number  of  magiftrates.* 

AT  this  period,  the  general  aflembly  of  the  1647- 
province  of  Rhode-Ifland  eftablimed  a  code  of  laws  ^^ 
agreeable  to  the  Englifh  ftatute  books,  and  erect- 
ed a  form  of  civil  government,  for  the  adminiftra- 
tion  of  thefe  laws,  and  for  enacting  fuch  others  as 
Jhould  be  found  neceflary.  The  fupreme  power 
was  veiled  in  the  people  aflembled  ;  a  court  of 
commiflioners,  confiding  of  fix  perfons,  chofen 
by  the  four  towns  of  Providence,  Portfmouth, 
Newport  and  Warwick,  had  a  legiflative  authori- 
ty. Their  acts  were  to  be  in  force,  unlefs  repeal- 
ed within  a  limited  period,  by  the  vote  of  the  ma- 
jor part  of  the  freemen  of  the  province,  to  be  col- 
lected at  their  refpe&ivf  town-meetings,  appointed 
for  that  purpofe. 

A  PRESIDENT  and  four  afliftants  were  annually 
chofen,  to  be  prefervers  of  the  peace,  with  all  civ- 
il power.  By  a  fpecial  commiffion,  they  were 
judges  of  the  court  of  trials,  affifted  by  the  two 
wardens  or  juftices  of  the  particular  town,  in  which 
the  court  from  time  to  time  was  convened. 

EACH  town  chofe  a  council  of  fix  perfons,  to 
conduct  their  affair$,  and  their  town  court  had 
the  trial  of  fmall  cafes ;  but  with  an  appeal  to  the 
court  of  the  prefident  and  afiiftants.t 

THIS  year  the  colony  of  MaiTachufetts  firft  pub-  1648. 
lifhed  their  code  of  laws.     At  the  requeft  of  the 
general  court,  the  Rev.  John  Cotton  had  com- 

*  Trvm&uJ/,  Vol.  I.  p.  121,  182.     f  Gallender,  p.  42,  45. 


$2  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

1648.  piled  a  fyftem,  founded  chiefly  on  the  laws  of  Mo- 
*^***t  fes,  which  was  publifhed  in  London,  1 645.     This 

abftract  was  confidered  by  the  legiflative  body  as 
the  general  (tandard,  though  they  never  formally 
adopted  it,  and  even  varied  from  it  in  many  in- 
ftances.  They  profefTed  to  follow  Mofes*  plan, 
fo  far  only  as  it  was  of  a  moral  nature,  and  obli- 
gatory on  all  mankind.* 

1 649.  AT  the  feflion  of  the  general  court  of  Connec- 
ticut,  a  code  of  laws  was  eftabliihed,  and  this  col- 
ony had  the   appearance  of  a  well  regulated  com- 
monwealth.    Until  this  time  punifhments,  in  ma- 
ny  inftances,  had  been  left  wholly  to  the  difcre- 
tion  of  the  court.     But  from  this  period,  the  laws, 
in  general,  became  fixed,  and  the  punifhment  of 
particular  crimes  was  fpecified,  fo  that  delinquents 
might  know  what  to  expect,  when  they  had  th$ 
temerity  to  tranfgrefs.f 

THE  celebrated  John  Winthrop,  Efq.  died  the 
beginning  of  this  year,  aged  fixty-three.  His  death 
was  greatly  lamented  in  Maffachufetts,  and  he  was 
ftiled,  the  Father  of  the  colony.  Jie  was  educated 
in  the  profeffion  of  the  law,  in  which  he  was  emi- 
nent for  his  abilities  and  integrity.  The  high 
place  he  held  in  the  public  efteem  was  evinced  by 
his  being  appointed  juftice  of  peace  at  the  early 
age  of  eighteen.  When  a  number  of  influential 
characters  formed  the  defign  of  removing  to  New- 
England,  he  put  himfelf  at  the  head  of  the  under- 
taking, and  devoted  his  eflate  and  ftrength  to  tl)i^ 

^   Set  Hutclrinfons  Co/llfiiof  of  P uteri,  p.   \6\ , 
t  Trumbull.  r*l  If.   B*. 


NEW-  EN  GLAND.  93 

public  fervice.  The  inhabitants  of  Maflachufett« 
manifefted  their  high  fenfe  of  his  worth,  by  chuf- 
ing  him  eleven  times  to  be  their  governor. 
Prudence  and  juftice  marked  his  condud  in 
that  ftation.  He  was  diftinguifhed  for  tempe- 
rance, frugality  and  economy,  and  ever  exhib- 
ited a  fupreme  regard  for  religion.  The  only 
error  which  has  been  charged  upon  his  admin- 
iflration  refulted  from  his  maintaining  the  necefTity 
cf  ufing  coercive  meafures  in  religion.  However, 
he  finally  rofe  fuperior  to  the  prejudices  of  the  age 
in  which  he  lived,  and,  in  his  dying  moments, 
feelingly  regretted  that  his  conduct  had  been  tinged 
by  the  fpirit  of  religious  intolerance.* 

THE  fatal  effects,  which  were  produced  by  en<» 
forcing  uniformity  in  religious  worfliip,  will  be 
jelated  in  the  fubfequent  chapter. 

*  Hufcbinjott,  Vol.  L  p.  151.     AW,  Vol..  I.  p.  294, 


94 


HISTORY   O  F 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Of  the  intolerant  principles  of  the  fettlers  of  New- 
England.  Of  the  feparatlon  of  the  Eaptlfts^  and 
the  perfecutlon  they  fuffered.  The  Quakers  begin 
to  refort  to  MaJJachufetts  colony.  Severe  laws 
enaffed  agalnft  them.  Four  Quakers  put  to  death 
in  Bojlon.  Conduct  of  the  other  colonies  towards 
them.  King  Charles  II.  puts  a  ftop  to  the  fur* 
iher  execution  of  the  fanguinary  laws. 


I 


N  the  preceding  chapter  we  had  the 
fatisfaclion  of  feeing  our  pious  anceftors  affiduouf- 
ly  engaged  in  converting  the  Indians  to  the  Chrif- 
tian  religion  ;  in  forming  a  model  of  church  difci- 
pline,  and  efiabliming  a  regular  code  of  laws,  on 
what  they  fuppofed  to  be  the  fcripture  foundation. 
We  muft,  at  prefent,  contemplate  them  in  a  light 
which  ftrongly  exhibits  the  imperfection  of  human 
nature,  and  the  influence  of  error  and  prejudice 
upon  the  mind. 

ACTUATED  by  the  miftaken  idea,  that  it  was 
their  duty  to  ufe  coercive  meafures  to  fupprefs  er- 
roneous opinions,  the  colony  of  Maffachufetts  had 
already  manifefted  a  determined  refolution  to  en- 
force uniformity  in  religion.  They  had  already 
proceeded  a  ftep  farther  than  the  hierarchy  in  their 
native  country  had  ever  attempted.  No  teft  law 
had  as  yet  taken  place  in  England  ;  but  they  had 
at  one  blow  cut  off  all  but  thofe  of  their  own  com* 


K£  W-ENGL  AND.  95 

munion  from  the  privileges  of  civil  offices,  how- 
ever other  wife  qualified.*  They  had  banifhed  from 
their  jurifdiclion  thofe  who  were  charged  .with 
maintaining  Antinomian  tenets.  We  fhall  now  fee 
their  intolerant  fentiments  produce  farther  ex- 
tremes in  conduct 

NOTWITHSTANDING  all  their  precaution  to 
maintain  colonial  uniformity,  they  found  a  num- 
ber who  took  the  liberty  to  diflent  from  their  re- 
ligious opinions.  This  year  forne  of  the  inhabit-  1650. 
ants  of  Rehoboth  adopted  the  fentiments  of  the 
Baptifts,  withdrew  from  the  eftablifhed  worfhip, 
and  fet  up  a  feparate  meeting.  Upon  this  Mr* 
Obadiah  Holmes,  one  of  the  principal  diflenters, 
was  firfl  admonimed,  and  afterwards  excommu- 
nicated by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Newman,  minifter  of 
Rehoboth.  Immediately  after,  he  and  two  of  his 
aflbciates  were  cited  to  appear  before  the  court  at 
Plymouth,  where  four  petitions  were  lodged  againfl 
them.  One  from  their  native  town,  figned  by 
thirty-five  perfons  ;  one  from  the  church  at  Taun- 
ton  ;  another  from  all  the  clergymen  but  two  in 
Plymouth  colony  ;  and  a  fourth  from  the  court 
at  Bofton,  under  their  fecretary's  hand,  urging 
the  Plymouth  rulers  fpeedily  to  fupprefs  this  grow- 
ing fchifm.t 

WITH  thefe  ftimulations  to  feverity,  the  court  165 
of  Plymouth  charged  Holmes  and  his  friends  to 
defift  from  their  feparation  ;  and  neither  to  ordain 
officers,    adminifter   the   facraments,  or   aiTemblc 

*  Belknap,    Vol.  I.   p.    80, 

f  Btttkui  Hijlory  of  the  Baptijls,  Vol.  I.  p.  213. 


96  HISTORY    OF 

1651.  for   public   worfhip.     They  viewed  thefe 

tions  as  arbitrary  violations  of  their  Chriftian  lib- 
erty, and  alledged,  that  they  were  actuated  by  the 
conviction  of  their  own  consciences,  and  that  it 
was  better  to  obey  God  than  man. 

SOME  time  after  Mr.  Clark  (who  had  founded 
a  Baptift  church  in  Rhode-Iiland)  with  Mr.  Holmes 
and  Mr.  Cranfield,  travelled  into  the  jurifdiction 
of  Maffachufetts.  They  were  all  apprehended 
when  affembled  for  public  worfhip  on  the  Lord's 
day.  The  conftable  took  them  into  cuftody,  and 
in  the  afternoon  can  led  them,  by  compulfion,  to 
the  congregational  meeting.  Mr.  Claik  had  pre- 
vioufly  allured  him,  that,  if  forced  to  a  meeting, 
which  he  difapproved,  he  fhould  be  obliged  pub- 
licly to  declare  the  reafons  of  his  diffent.  He  pul- 
led off  his  hat  when  he  entered  the  afTembly,  bur, 
after  he  was  feated,  he  put  it  on  again,  and  em- 
ployed himfelf  in  reading  while  the  minifler  was 
praying.  The  officers  took  off  his  hat,  but  he 
pofitively  refufed  to  join  in  the  fervice.  After  fer« 
mon,  he  addreffed  the  congregation,  and  affigned 
the  reafons  of  his  conduct.* 

ABOUT  a  fortnight  after,  the  court  of  affiftanu 
paffed  the  following  fentences,  viz.  that  Mr.  Clark 
fhould  pay  a  fine  of  twenty  pounds,  Mr.  Holmes 
of  thirty,  and  Mr.  Cranfield  of  five  pounds,  or  be 
publicly  whipped  upon  their  refufal  to  pay  their 
fines.  The  prifoners  agreed  to  refufe,  and  to  re- 
ceive corporeal  punifhment.  Some  of  Mr.  Clark's 

*  AW,  Vol.  L  p.  299,     Clark's  Narrative  of  the 
land 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  9; 

friends  paid  his  fine  without  his  confent,  and  Cran-  1651. 
field  was  releafed  upon  his  promife  to  appear  again 
at  the  next  court ;  but  the  fentence  of  the  law 
was  executed  on  Holmes.  Several  of  his  friends 
were  fpe&ators ;  among  others  John  Spurr  and 
John  Hazell,  who,  as  they  were  attending  him 
back  to  prifon,  took  him  by  the  hand  in  the  mar- 
ket place,  and  praifed  God  for  his  courage  and 
conftancy.  For  this  offence  they  were  cited  be- 
fore the  general  court  the  next  day,  and  each  of 
them  fentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of  forty  {hillings,  or 
be  publicly  whipped.  They  refufed  to  pay  the 
money  ;  but  it  was  paid  by  their  friends.  They 
were  then  difmifled,  and  returned  to  Rhode- 
Ifland.* 

THE  following  law  was  enabled  againft  the  Bap- 
tifts,  on  this  occafion,  by  the  general  court  of 
Maffachufetts : 

"  IT  is  ordered  by  the  court  and  authority 
thereof,  that  if  any  perfon  or  perfons  within  this 
jurifdi£tion  mall  either  opealy  condemn  or  oppofe 
the  baptifing  of  infants,  or  go  about  fecretly  to  fe- 
duce  others  from  the  approbation  or  ufe  thereof, 
or  (hall  purpofely  depart  the  congregation  at  the 
adminiftration  of  the  ordinance,  or  mall  deny  the 
ordinance  of  magiftracy,  or  their  lawful  right  or 
authority  to  make  war,  or  punifh  the  outward 
breaches  of  the  firft  table,  and  mall  sppear  to 
the  court  wilfully  and  obftinately  to  continue 
therein  after  due  means  of  conviction,  every 

*  AW,  Vol%  1,  p.  33.     Backup  Vol.  /. /.   231. 
N 


98  HISTORYOF 

1651.  fuch  perfon  or  perfons  {hall  be  fentenced  tb  banifh 


ment."* 

NEITHER  this,  nor  other  fevere  penal  laws 
made  againfl  fedaries,  could  prevent  the  increafe 
of  the  Baptifl  denomination. 

AFTER  the  fettlers  of  New-England  had  exert- 
ed themfelves  to  fupprefs  the  Baptifts,  they  exhib- 
ited fimilar  intolerant  principles  in  their  behavior 
to  the  Quakers.  The  firfl  of  this  fociety  who  came 
into  Maffachufetts  were  Mary  Fiftier  and  Anna 
Auftin,  who  arrived  from  Barbados  the  beginning 
1656.  of  July.  The  books,  which  thefe  women  brought 
over,  were  burnt  by  the  hangman,  and  they  were 
committed  to  prifon  by  the  deputy-governor.  It 
is  afTerted,  that  they  gave  rude  and  contemptuous 
anfwers  to  the  queflions  put  to  them  by  the  court 
of  afliftants  ;  and  this  is  the  reafon  affigned,  by 
the  oppoiite  paity,  for  their  imprilbnment.t 

ON  the  other  hand,  an  hiftorian  of  their  own 
denomination  affirms,  that  "  the  deputy-governor 
committed  them  to  prifon,  upon  no  other  proof 
of  their  being  Quakers,  than  that  one  of  them  faid 
thce  to  him  ;  and  that  their  confinement  was  fo 
rigorous,  that  no  perfon  was  permitted  to  converfe 
with  them  even  through  the  window."*  After 
about  five  weeks  confinement,  one  William  Chich- 
eiler,  matter  of  a  vefiel,  was  bound  in  a  bond  of 
one  hundred  pounds,  to  carry  them  back  to  Bar- 
bados ;  and  the  jailer  kept  their  beds  and  their  bi- 
ble for  his  fees. 

*  Clark's  Narrative  of  tie  N^w-England  P  execution*  p,  ~\y, 

-f-  Hut  chin  fon.  Vol.  I.  p.  169. 

j  GwtWsHif.ory  of  the  Quaker  st  Vul.  I,  p.  345. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  99 

A  FEW  days  after  the  departure  of  thefe  wo-  1656. 
men,  eight  others  of  the  fame  profeflion  arrived  at  ^^ 
Bofton.     After  fome  examination,  they  were  feh- 
tenced  to  banifhment,  and  to  be  detained  in  prifon 
till  they   could   be  conveyed   out  of  the  colony. 
They   were  imprifoned  about  eleven  weeks,  the 
jailer  being  empowered  to   fearch  their  boxes  for 
pen,  ink  and  paper  as  often  as  he  thought  proper, . 
and  take  them  away.     When  they  were  in  prifon, 
a  law  was  enabled  to  punifh  them,  which  was  the 
firfl   general  law  againft  the  Quakers. 

BY  this  law  it  was  enacted,  that  if  any  matter 
or  commander  of  any  fhip,  bark,  &c.  fhould 
thenceforth  bring  into  any  harbor  within  their  ju- 
rifdidion  any  Quakers,  he  fhould  pay  the  fum  of 
one  hundred  pounds  to  the  treafurer  of  the  coun- 
ty, or  be  imprifoned  till  the  payment  fhould  be 
made  or  fecured.  That  any  Quaker  coming  into 
the  country,  ihould  be  committed  to  the  houfe  of 
corredion,  feverely  whipped,  conftantly  kept  to 
hard  labor,  and  debarred  of  all  intercourfe  with 
any  perfon  whatever,* 

THIS  aft,  and  the  banifhment  of  the  Quakers,  1657. 
proving  inefficient,  other  fanguinary  laws  were 
enacted,  as  cutting  off  the  ears,  and  boring  the 
tongue  with  an  hot  iron.  Through  a  miftaken 
zeal  to  extirpate  herefy,  thefe  cruel  laws  were,  in 
various  inflances,  put  in  execution.! 

THE  feverity,  with  which  this  denomination  was 
treated,  appeared  rather   to  invite  than  to  deter 
*  Gsutb,  Vol.  I.  p*  347.     f  Hid,  f.  372. 


ioo  II I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

1657.  them  from  flocking  to  the  colony.  The  perfecu- 
^^^  tion  exercifed  againfl  them  had  a  direct  tendency 
to  increafe  their  numbers.  People  firfl  compaf- 
fionated  their  fufferings,  admired  the  fortitude 
with  \vhich  they  endured  them  ;  and,  from  thefe 
caufes,  were  induced  to  examine  and  embrace 
their  fentiments, 

1658.-  LARGE  numbers  in  Bofton,  Salem  and  other 
places,  joined  this  fociety.  Their  rapid  increafe 
induced  the  magiftrates  to  refort  to  the  lafl  extrem* 
ity,  and  to  enact  a  law  to  banifh  them  upon  pain 
of  death.  Great  oppofition,  however,  was  made 
to  this  law,  and  it  was  finally  parTed  by  a  majority 
of  only  one  perfon.* 

FOUR  Quakers  were  put  to  death  in  Bofton,  by 
this  unjuft  and  impolitic  law.  They  died  with  the 
iitmoft  fortitude,  profefimg  the  fatisfaction  and 
joy  they  felt  in  fuffering  for  the  caufe  of  truth. 
They  protefted,  in  the  moft  folernn  manner,  that 
their  return  from  banifhment  was  by  divine  direc- 
tion, to  warn  the  magiftrates  of  their  errors,  and 
entreat  them  to  repeal  their  unjuft  laws.  They 
denounced  the  judgment  of  God  upon  them  for 
fhedding  innocent  blood,  and  foretold  that  others 
would  rife  up  in  their  room.  Mary  Dyer,  one  of 
the  prifoners,  was  reprieved  at  the  gallows  by  the 
interceffion  of  her  fon,  and  conveyed  to  Rhode- 
Ifland.  But,  to  ufe  the  words  of  Gouth,  "  find- 
ing herfelf  under  a  nece^ity  laid  on  her  from 
the  requirings  of  the  fpirit  of  the  Lord  to  go 

*   Ifrtcbirfw,  Vol.  /  p.  198.     Bijbopi    New.L,;glan<t  ju^ed 
^y  (be  :  jirit  of  the  Lord. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  £X;A  Kp^  £  ^  \  /,   toi 
back  to  Bofton,  fhe   returned  and   was   execut-  1660. 


THE  colony  of  Plymouth  copied  after  MaiTa- 
cliufetts  in  their  treatment  of  the  Quakers,  but 
did  not  carry  their  feverity  to  fuch  an  extent  as 
to  put  any  of  them  to  death. 

THE  general  court  of  Connecticut,  in  Oclober, 
1656,  palTed  an  a£l,  which  prohibited  the  towns 
in  their  jurifdiction  from  entertaining  any  Quakers, 
Ranters,  or  other  heretics,  or  fuffering  them  to 
continue  in  any  town  above  fourteen  days,  upon 
the  penalty  of  five  pounds  per  week.  Thofe  towns 
were  empowered  to  imprifon  fuch  perfons  till  they 
could  conveniently  be  fent  out  of  their  jurifdiction. 
All  matters  of  veiTels  were  forbidden  to  land  this 
denomination  ;  and  after  landing  them,  were  oblig- 
ed to  tranfport  them  out  of  the  colony,  upon  pen- 
alty of  twenty  pounds. 

THE  court  at  New-Haven  pafifed  ,a  fimilar  law. 
la  1658,  both  courts  made  an  addition  to  this  law, 
increafmg  the  penalties,  and  prohibiting  all  conver- 
fation  of  the  common  people  with  any  of  thofe 
heretics,  and  all  perfons  from  giving  them  any  en- 
tertainment upon  the  penalty  of  five  pounds.  The 
law,  however,  was  of  ihort  continuance,  and  no- 
thing of  importance  appears  to  have  been  tranfacl- 
ed  upon  it  in  either  of  the  colonies.  f 

WHEN  the  colony  of  Rhode-Ifland  was  applied 
to,  by  the  four  united  colonies,  in  1656,  <c  to 
join  them  in  taking  effectual  methods  to  fupprefs 

*  Gouth,  Fol  I.  p.  402.     tie-wolfs  JKJiory  of  the  Quaker  t.   \  v 
f  Trumbnlf,  p.  314. 


R  Y  OF 


the*  Quakers,  and  prevent  their  pernicious  doc- 
trines being  fpread  in  the  countiy,"  the  aflembly 
returned  for  anfwer,  "  we  ihall  flrictly  adhere  to 
the  foundation  principle  on  which  this  colony 
was  firft  fettled/'* 

1661.  THESE  unhappy  difturbances  continued  till  the 
friends  of  the  Quakers  in  England  interpofed, 
and  obtained  an  order  from  King  Charles  II.  re- 
quiring that  a  Hop  fhould  be  put  to  all  capital  or 
corporeal  punifhment  of  his  fubjects,  called  Quak- 
ers, This  occafioned  a  repeal  of  the  cruel  laws 
which  had  been  ena&ed  againft  them.} 

To  us,  who  live  in  an  enlightened  age,  where 
the  principles  of  religious  toleration  are  clearly  un- 
derftood,  the  conduct  of  the  early  fettlers  of  New- 
England  muft  appear  truly  aflonifhing  ;  and  we 
may  be  led  to  afperfe  them  with  unmerited  cen- 
fure.  In  reviewing  the  conduct  of  thofe,  who  have 
appeared  on  the  theatre  of  life  before  us,  we  ought 
ever  to  confider  the  influence  which  the  prevailing 
prejudices  of  the  age,  in  which  they  lived,  mufl 
naturally  have  had  upon  their  minds.  It  was  late 
before  the  true  grounds  of  liberty  of  confcience 
were  known  by  any  party  of  Chriftians.  The 
bloody  perfecutions  in  the  annals  of  Popery,  fill 
the  mind  with  horror  ;  and  we  find  traits  of  the 
fame  intolerant  fpirit  in  the  conduct  of  the  reform- 
ers. The  church  of  England,  by  enforcing  uni- 
formity in  religion,  had  driven  the  Puritans  to 
feek  aa  afylum  in  the  new  world,  where,  after 
*  Gordon,  Vol.  I  p.  37.  f  AW,  Vol.  I.  p.  374. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  103 

fuffering  various  hardfhips,  they  had  eflablifhed  a 
religious  fyftem,  to  which  they  were  warmly  at- 
tached.  Influenced  by  the  prejudices  of  education, 
they  confidered  it  as  a  duty  to  fupprefs  thofe  relig- 
ious tenets,  which  they  fuppofed  diametrically  op- 
pofite  to  Chriftianity,  and  fubverfive  of  the  peace 
and  happinefs  of  the  newly  eftablimed  colonies. 
The  principles  they  had  imbibed  appeared  to  them 
in  a  light  fo  important,  that  they  took  every  pre- 
caution to  tranfmit  them  pure  and  uncorrupted  to 
the  Jateft  pofterity. 

THE  inhabitants  of  New-England  were  not, 
however,  diftinguifhed  by  their  intolerance  from 
other  American  fettlers.  -  "  Several  acts  of  the 
Virginia  aflembly  of  1659,  1662,  and  1663,  had 
made  it  penal  in  the  parents  to  refufe  to  have 
their  children  baptifed  ;  had  prohibited  the  unlaw- 
ful aflembling  of  Quakers ;  had  made  it  penal  for 
any  matter  of  a  veflel  to  bring  a  Quaker  into  the 
ftate ;  had  ordered  thofe  already  there,  and  fuch 
as  fhould  come  thereafter,  to  be  imprifoned  till 
they  fhould  abjure  the  country  ;  provided  a  mild- 
er punifhment  for  their  firft  and  fecond  return, 
but  death  for  the  third ;  had  inhibited  all  perfons 
from  fuffering  their  meetings  in  or  near  their 
houfes,  entertaining  them  individually,  or  difpof- 
ing  of  books  which  fupported  their  tenets.  If  no 
capital  punifhment  took  place  here  as  in  New- 
England,  it  was  not  owing  to  the  moderation  of 
the  church,  or  fpirit  of  the  legiflature,  as  may  be 
inferred  from  the  law  itfelf  j  but  to  hiflorical  cir- 


104  HISTORY     OF 

cumftances  which  have  not  been  handed  down  to 
us."*  A  review  of  the  diftrefling  fcenes,  which 
perfecution  has  occafioned,  both  in  Europe  and 
America,  ought  to  infpire  our  minds  with  the  mod 
lively  gratitude  to  Divine  Providence,  for  the  en- 
tire liberty  of  confcience,  which  is  at  prefent  en- 
joyed by  each  individual  ftate  ;  and  which  confti- 
tutes  a  diftinguifhed  excellence  in  the  federal  con- 
ftitution.  As  Judge  Minot  obferves,  in  his  in- 
genious continuation  of  Hutchinfon,  "  The  intel- 
lect of  man,  in  its  progrefs  in  this  country,  firfl 
difcovered  the  abfurdity  of  religious  tefts,  and 
wiped  away  this  blot  upon  human  reafon,  whilft 
the  mother  country  remains,  in  this  refpect,  in 
her  ancient  abfurdity."f 

*  Morjis  Geography ,  Vol,  I.  p.  625.       •}  Minot t  p.  go. 


NEW -ENGLAND.  ice 


CHAPTER    VIIL 

The  colonies  congratulate  King  Charles  IL  en  his 
rcftoration.  Of  the  fecond  fynod  in  New-England. 
Aft  of  uniformity  lakes  place  in  England.  A  num- 
ber of  the  Diffenters  feek  an  afylum  in  the  colonies. 
Two  of  the  judges  of  Charles  I.  take  refuge  in 
New-Haven.  Connecticut  and  New-Haven  arc 
united  by  a  charter.  Of  the  charter  granted  to 
Rhode- I/land.  Four  comralffioners  fent  to  New* 
England  by  the  King.  P  erf  edition  of  the  Bap-  • 
tijls  revived.  The  dijfenting  clergy  in  England 
intercede  in  favor  of  tbs  Baptijls  and  £>yaken. 


D 


U  R I N  G  the  frequent  changes  1661 
in  the  government  of  England,  for  the  lad  twen- 
ty  years,  the  colonies  acted  with  great  caution  and 
prudence.  They  acknowledged  f abjection  to  par- 
liament., and  afterwards  to  Cromwell,  only  fo  far 
as  was  neceffary  to  efcape  their  refentment.  Af- 
ter Cromwell's  death,  they  avoided  joining  with 
any  of  the  prevailing  parties,  and  waited  till  a  per- 
manent fettlement  could  be  eftablifhed.  Upon  the 
reftoration  of  King  Charles  II.  the  general  court 
of  Maflachufetts  difpatched  Simon  Bradfireet,  Efq. 
and  the  Rev.  John  Norton  with  a  loyal  addrefs  of 
congratulation  to  his  majeily,  in  which  they  en- 
deavoured to  juftify  the  coaduft  of  the  colony, 


I06  HISTORY     O  F 

1 66 1.  and  petitioned  for  the  continuance  of  their  civil 
°"v"^  and  religious  liberties.* 

1662.  THE  reception  of  the  agents  was  favorable,  and 
they  returned  next  autumn  with  the  king's  anfwer 
to  the  addrefs.     His  majefly  confirmed  the  char- 
ter, and  promifed  to  renew  it  under  the  great  feaL 
He  granted  pardon  to  all  his  fubjecls  for  treaibns 
committed  during  the  late  troubles,  thofe  only  ex- 
cepted,  who  were  attainted  by  acl  of  parliament. 
But  he  required  the  general  court  to  review  its  or- 
dinances, and  to  repeal  fuch  laws,,  as  were  repug- 
nant to  the  royal  authority.     He  alfo  ordered,  that 
the  oath  of  allegiance  mould  be  duly  adminider- 
ed ;  that  the  admmiftration  of  juftice  mould  be 
performed  in   his  name;    that  liberty  mould  be 
granted  to  all  who  defired  it,  to  perform  their  de- 
votions after  the  manner   of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land ;  that  all  perfons  of  honeft  lives  and  conver- 
fation  fliould  be  admitted  to  the  facrament   of  the 
Lord's  fupper,  according  to  the  book  of  common 
prayer,  and  their  children  to  baptifm  ;  that  in  the 
office  of  governor  and  afllflants  the  only  influen- 
tial confideration  mould  be  the  wifdom,  virtue  and 
integrity  of  the  perfons,  without  any  reference  ro 
their  diflinguiming  religious  tenets  ;  that  all  free- 
holders, not  vicious,    and  of  competent  eftates, 
fhould  be  allowed  to  vote  in  the  election  of  offi- 

„  cers,  civil  and  military,  though  of  different  per- 
fuafions  refpe&ing  church  government ;  and,  f> 
nally,  that  this  letter  mould  be  publimed.f 

?  Hutcbinfon,  Vol,  7. />,   219.     f  'Ibid*    Cljalmtr>  p.  2^5;- 


NEW. ENGLAND.  107 

MANY  of  the  requifitions  contained  in  the  king's  1662. 
letter  were  exceedingly  difagreeable  to  our  ancef- 
tors.  The  favors  obtained  by  the  agents  were  de- 
preciated, and  their  merits  were  foon  obliterated. 
It  was  fuppofed  that  they  had  negleded  the  intereft 
of  their  country,  and  made  unnecefiary  concefiions. 
Mr.  Norton  was  fo  much  affected  with  this  treat- 
ment, that  it  occafioned  a  melancholy  habit,  which 
is  fuppofed  to  have  haftened  his  death.* 

AT  this  feffion  of  the  general  court,  the  only 
compliance  with  the  king's  orders,  except  pub- 
lifhing  his  letter,  was  giving  direclions  that  all 
writs,  procefles,  &c.  fhould  be  in  his  majefly's 
name.  A  committee  was  afterwards  appointed  to 
confider  the  propriety  of  conforming  to  the  other 
particulars,  and  liberty  was  given  to  the  clergy 
and  the  other  inhabitants  to  tranfmit  their  opin- 
ions. 

WHILST  the  colonies  were  alarmed  with  ap- 
prehenfions  for  their  civil  liberties,  their  churches 
were  agitated  by  religious  controverfies.  Great 
debates  arofe  among  the  clergy,  concerning  the 
right  of  the  grand-children  of  church'  members  to 
the  fecrament  of  baptifm,  whofe  immediate  par- 
ents had  not  entered  into  the  communion.  This 
difpute  commenced  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut, 
and  fpread  with  rapidity  through  New-England,! 

IN  order  to  fettle  the  controverted  points,  the 
general  court  in  MafTachufetts  convoked  a  fynod, 
or  general  council  of  all  the  churches,  to  be  af- 

«  Mather,  Book  III,  p.  38.     f  Hutclfittfw,  Vol.  Lp.  22$. 


io8  HISTORY    OF 

1662.  fembled  at  Bofton.  The  two  leading  queftions  re- 
ferred  to  their  o'ecifion  were  as  follows : 

i  ft.  Who  are  the  fubje&s  of  baptifm? 

$d.  Whether,  according  to  the  word  of  God, 
there  ought  to  be  a  confociatiori  of  churches ;  and 
in  what  manner  fhould  fuch  an  union  be  formed  ? 

IN  anfwer  to  the  firft  queftion,  the  majority 
of  the  fynod  agreed,  that  the  children  of  good 
moral  parents,  who  folemnly  owned  the  covenant 
before  the  church,  though  not  in  full  commun- 
ion, might  be  admitted  to  baptifm.* 

HOWEVER,  the  council  were  not  unanimous  ; 
Several  learned  and  pious  clergymen  protefted 
againft  the  determination  relative  to  baptifm.  The 
Rev.  Charles  Chauncey,  prefident  of  Harvard  col- 
lege, Mr.  Increafe  Mather,  Mr.  Mather,  of  North? 
Hampton,  and  others,  were  warmly  in  the  oppofi- 
tion.  Prefident  Chauncey  wrote  a  tracl  againft 
the  refolutions  refpeicing  baptifm,  entitled,  Ami* 
Synodalia.  Mr.  Increafe  Mather  alfo  wrote  in  op- 
pofitlon  to  the  council.  Mr.  Davenport,  and  all 
the  rnimfters  in  the  colony  of  New-Haven,  and 
numbers  in  Connecticut,  were  againd  the  refolu- 
tions. Mr.  Davenport  wrote  againft  them.  The 
churches  were  mere  generally  oppofed  to  them 
than  the  clergy.1 

TUP:  general  court  of  Connecticut  took  no  no- 
tice of  the  fynod,  nor  of  the  difpute,  but  left 
the  elders  and  churches  at  liberty  to  act  their  o\vn. 
fentipients.  They  were  attempting  to  foiin  -n 

*  Hittchinjw,  /V.  /•  /'•   223. 


NEW. ENGLAND. 

mrrion  with  New-Haven,  and  as  the  tninifters  and  1662. 
churches  of  that  colony  were  unanimous  in  their 
opposition  to  the  fynod,  they,  probably,  judged  it 
impolitic,  at  that  time,  to  decide  any  thing  rela* 
live  to  thefe  ecclefiaftical  points.* 

THE  churches,  at  this  period,  profefled  to  mam- 
tain  communion  with  each  other  in  the  following 
particulars,  ift,  In  affectionate  care,  and  fervent 
prayer  for  each  other,  gdly,  In  affording  relief, 
by  communicating  their  gifts  in  temporal  and  fpi- 
ritual  neceffities.  3dly,  In  maintaining  unity  and 
peace,  by  mutually  recounting  their  public  ac- 
tions when  requefled,  in  order  to  ftrengthen  one 
another  in  their  regular  adminiftrations,  in  partic- 
ular, by  a  concurrent  teftimony  againft  perfons 
juftiy  cenfured.  4thly,  To  feek  and  accept  help 
from,  and  afford  afliftance  to  each  other  in  divi- 
fions  and  contentions,  and  in  their  mod  important 
concerns ;  fuch  as  ordaining,  inftalling,  removing 
and  depofing  paftors  and  teachers  ;  in  rectifying 
znal-adminiftration,  healing  error  and  fcandal,  and 
deciding  difficult  qudtions,  both  doctrinal  and 
practical,  fthly,  In  charitably  noticing  the  errors 
and  difficulties  of  another  church,  and,  when  the 
cafe  manifeflly  requires  it,  to  adminifler  help, 
even  though  they  fliould  fo  far  neglect  their  duty 
as  not  to  feek  affiftance.  6thly,  In  admonifhing 
one  another  when  there  is  fufficient  caufe,  and  af- 
ter a  due  courfe  of  means  patiently  to  withdraw 
from  a  church,  or  peccant  party  therein,  obfll- 
lately  perfi fling  in  error  or  fcandal.f 

ti,   t  cL  1.  p.  525.      f  Matbfr,  J>wk  V,  p.  75, 


HISTORY   OF 

'Ar  this  time  the  perfecution  was  renewed  in 
England  againft  the  Puritans.  By  an  ac\  of  -uni- 
formity  which  took  place  on  St.  Bartholomew's 
day,  about  two  thoufand  clergymen  were  turned 
but  of  their  benefices,  deftitute  of  the  fmalleft  pro. 
vifion  for  themfelves  and  families.  Soon  after 
they  were  banifhed  at  five  miles  diftance  from  eve- 
ry corporation  in  England.  A  number  were  im- 
prifoned  for  exercifmg  their  miniflry  contrary  to 
law ;  feverai  died  in  confinement,  and  others 
fought  an  afylum  in  New-England.  The  learned 
divine,  Dr.  John  Owen,  was  Ihipping  his  effe&s 
for  that  country,  where  he  was  invited  to  be  pre- 
fident  of  Harvard  college.  He  was,  however, 
prohibited  from  leaving  England  by  an  exprefs  or- 
der from  King  Charles  IL 

MANY  of  the  clergymen  who  received  this  ig- 
nominious treatment  were  diftinguifhed  by  their 
abilities  and  zeal,  and  had  labored  indefatigably 
for  his  majefty's  reftoration.* 

JUST  before  the  reftoration  of  Charles  II.  gener- 
als Whaley  and  Goffe,  two  of  the  judges  of  Charles 
L  took  refuge  in  New-England.  They  were  gen- 
tlemen of  diftinguifhed  abilities,  and  had  moved 
in  an  exalted  fphere.  They  arrived  at  Bofton  in 
July,  1660,  and  came  to  New-Haven  the  follow- 
ing year,  and  retired  and  concealtd  themfelves  be- 
hind Weft  Mountain,  three  miles  from  New-Hav- 
en. They  foon  after  removed  to  Milford,  where 
they  lived  concealed  until  October,  1664,  when 

*  Calamus  Abridgimtnt* 


NEW-ENGLAND.  in 

they  returned  to  New-Haven,  and  immediately 
proceeded  to  Hadley,  where  they  remained  con- 
cealed for  about  ten  years,  ia  which  time  Whaley 
died,  and  Goffe  foon  after  fled.  In  1665,  John 
Bixwell,  Efq.  another  of  the  king's  judges,  vifited 
them  while  at  Hadley,  and  afterwards  proceeded 
to  New-Haven,  where  he  lived  many  years,  and 
was  known  by  the  name  of  John  Davids.  Here 
he  died,  and  was  interred  in  the  public  burying* 
place,  where  his  grave-Rone  is  (landing  to  this 
day.* 

CONNECTICUT  and  New-Haven  had  continued 
tivo  diftinft   governments  for  many  years.      A£ 
length  the  general  court  of  Connecticut  determin* 
ed  to  prefer  an  addrefs  and  petition  to  Charles  II* 
profeffing  their  fubrniflion  and  loyalty,  and  folicit- 
ing  a  royal  charter.     John  Winthrop,  Efq.  who 
had  been  eleeled  governor,  was  appointed  to  ne- 
gociate  the  affair  with  the  king.     He  fucceeded, 
and  obtained  a  charter,  which  conftituted  the  two  1662. 
colonies  one  united  commonwealth,  by  the  name  v^vv> 
of  the  Governor  and  Company   of  Connecticut. 
New-Haven  for  fome  time  declined  the  union  ;  but 
at  length  all  difficulties  were  amicably  fettled.     At  1665. 
this  period, '  the  united  colonies  confided  of  eigh-  v""v"v"' 
teen  towns.f 

BY  the  royal  charter  every  power,  legiflative, 
judicial  and  executive,  was  vefted  in  the  freemen 
of  the  corporation,  or  their  delegates,  and  the  col- 

*   See  the  left    Present  Stiles9    Hifory    of  tit  JuJget,    ond 
Zlirfg's  Geography ,  Vol.  I.  p.   458. 

.*  GW™,  rot.  i.  p.  34. 


U2  HISTORT    Of 

ony  was  under  no  obligation  to  communicate  the 
acts  of  their  local  legifiature  to  the  king.  The 
government,  which  they  had  previoufly  excrcifed, 
was  eftablimed,  and  when  the  other  New-England 
dates  renovated  their  politics,  the  charter  of  Con- 
necticut  was  continued  as  the  bafis  of  their  un- 
changing policy,  and  remains  fo  to  the  prefent 
day.* 

1663.  .  THE  royal  charter  which  was  granted  to  Rhodc- 
Ifland  and  Providence  Plantations  the  fubfequent 
year,  was  fimiiar  to  that  of  Connecticut.  They 
differed,  however,  in  one  refpect ;  the  charter  of 
Connecticut  was  filent  with  regard  to  religion  ; 
by  that  of  Rhode-lfland  liberty  of  conscience  was 
granted  in  its  fulled  extent.f 

BY  the  charter  of  Rhode-lfland,  the  fupreme 
legiflative  power  was  veiled  in  a$  aflembly,  the 
conftituent  members  of  which  were  to  conlid  of  the 
governor,  the  afMants,  and  fuch  of  the  freemen 
as  (hould  be  chofen   by  the  people.     This  aflem- 
bly  was  empowered    to  enact  laws,  and  forms  of 
government  and  magiflracy,  provided  they  were 
not  repugnant   to  the  laws  of  England.      They 
were  to  erect  fuch  courts  of  juftice  as  they  fhoulj 
fee  fit,    to  determine  matters  within  the  colony. 
To  regulate  the  manner  of  election  to  places  of 
truft,  and  of  freemen  to  the  aflembly.     To  im- 
poie   lawful   punifhments,    and  grant  pardon  to 
fuch  criminals  as  they  mould  think  proper.* 

,  *  See  an  account  of  the  Conftttntion  of  Connecticut^  in  Conftitu- 
thnsofthc  United  Slates,  p.  46.  An  account  of  the  (hurter  /> 
Irumbull,  p.  259. 

f  SeeC&arttr  ofRbodt  Jfmd*     J  CbalrMr,  /.  252. 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  113 

AT  this  period  an  atl  was  patted,  declaring  the  1663. 
privileges  of  the  inhabitants  of  Rhode-Ifland.  "  No 
freeman  (hall  be  imprifoned,  judged  or  condemned 
but  by  the  judgment  of  his  peers  or  laws  of  the 
colony.  And  no  tax  (hall  be  levied  on  any  of 
his  majefty's  lubjects  within  the  plantation,  or  up- 
on their  eftates,  on  any  pretence  whatever,  but 
by  the  act  or  aflent  of  the  general  aflembly."* 

FROM  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of  1665. 
Charles  II.  the  general  court  of  Maflachufetts  en- 
tertained alarming  apprehenfions  of  being  deprived 
of  their  privileges.  Their  enemies  in  England 
gave  exaggerated  accounts  of  every  interefting  oc- 
currence, and  the  king  was  prejudiced  by  their  re- 
prefentations.  Notwithstanding  all  his  fair  pre- 
tenfions,  the  world  was  convinced,  foon  after  his 
reftoration,  that  he  defigned  to  reign  upon  the 
fame  principles,  which  had  brought  his  father  to 
the  fcaffold.  His  intention  with  regard  to  the  col- 
onies was,  to  reduce  them  to  the  plan  of'twalve 
royal  provinces,  according  to  the  ideas  adopted  byx 
his  father  in  1635,  and  to  have  a  viceroy  over  the 
whole.  Agreeably  to  this  defign  he  difpatched 
commifnoners  this  year,  with  authority  to  reduce 
the  Dutch  fettlements  on  the  Hudfon,  to  fettle 
peace,  and  to  eftablifh  good  government  in  the 
colonies.  Colonel  Richard  Nevils,  who  was  af- 
terwards governor  of  New- York,  was  joined  with 
Sir  Robert  Carr,  George  Cartwright,  and  Samu- 
el Marverick  in  the  commiflion. 

*  Providence  Court  Re(or<t{* 


II4  HISTORY   OF 

1665.  THE  authority  of  thefe  commifiioners  was  high- 
ly  difrelifhed  by  the  colonies,  who  entertained 
a  ftrong  averfion  to  arbitrary  power.  The  inhab- 
itants of  New-England  may  emphatically  be  faid 
to  be  born  free.  They  were  fettled  originally  up- 
on the  principle  exprefied  at  this  day  in  all  their 
forms  of  government,  that  "  all  men  are  born 
free,  equal  and  independent."* 

WHEN  the  commifiioners  arrived  in  Mafiachu- 
fetts,  their  proceedings  excited  the  irritability  natu- 
ral to  a  people  jealous  for  their  liberty  ;  and  they 
fuppofed  the  powers  granted  them  an  infringement 
of  their  charter.  The  general  court,  however, 
alteied  the  law  that  all  freemen  fhould  be  church 
members ;  and  having  refolved  to  bear  true  allegi- 
anc:  to  their  fovereign,  and  adhere  to  their  pa- 
tent, they  agreed  upon  an  addrefs  to  the  king,f 
in  which  they  profeffed  their  loyalty  and  fubjec- 
tion  to  his  majefty,  defcribed  the  difficulties  they 
had  encountered  in  fettling  the  country  ;  and  ap- 
pealed to  Heaven  that  they  were  not  actuated  by 
interefled  motives.  They  afferted  that  they  had 
done  all  to  fatisfy  his  majefty,  that  they  fuppofed 
confident  with  their  duty  towards  God,  and  the 
jud  liberties  and  privileges  of  their  patent.  They 
exprefled  a  determined  refolution  to  flruggle  for 
their  privileges,  which  they  declared  were  "far 
dearer  to  them  than  life."  They  exhibited  the 
fame  firmnefs  of  mind  and  refolution  in  their 
conduct  to  the  commiffioners,  who,  after  much 

*  Sullivan,  />.  285.     -J-  Mxot,  p»  44. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  115 

altercation,  left  the  colony  diffatisfied  and  en-  1665. 

J   * 

raged.* 

THE  commiffion  was  alfo  exceedingly  difagreea- 
ble  to  the  inhabitants  of  New-Hampfhire,  at  that 
time  under  the  government  of  Maffachufetts. 
When  the  commiffioners  arrived  in  that  colony, 
they  flattered  a  party  who  were  diffatisfied  with 
Maffachufetts5  government,  with  being  freed  from 
their  jurif diction;  and  prevailed  on  them  to  fign  a 
petition  to  the  king  for  that  purpofe.  But  as  the 
majority  of  the  people  exhibited  a  determined  op- 
pofition  to  a  feparation,  the  defign  proved  abor- 
tive.! 

THE  commiffioners  were  as  unfuccefsful  in  Con- 
necticut as  in  Maffachufetts.     They  were  more  fa- 
vorably received  at  Plymouth  and  Rhode-Iiland. 
They  fat  as  a  court  at  Providence  and  Warwick, 
and  fpent  fome  time  in  the  colony,  examining  the 
purchafes  and  titles  of  lands  from  the  Indians  ; 
hearing  the  allegations  of  Goi  ton  and  his  party 
againft  Maffachufetts  ;  enquiring  into  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  executive  powers   of  the  plantation, 
and  receiving  complaints  from  difaffedted  perfons.J 
WHEN  the  commiffioners  arrived  in  New-Eng- 
land,  the  former  claim   under  Gorges   began  to 
revive.     They  came  into  the  Province  of  Maine, 
and  attempted  to  erect  a  government.     They   ap- 
pointed courts,  and  commiffioned  magiftrates  un- 
der the  Duke  of  York,  and  in  the  name  of  the 
king.      This  kind  of  government  continued  till 

*  Hutchinfon,  Vol.  I.  p.  229,  230,  231.     f  Bel&napt  Vol.  L 
p.  106,  107,  108.     %  Hutcbinfont  VoL  L  p.  229. 


n6  HISTORY     OF 

the  year  1668,  when  fome  of  the  principal  inhab- 
itants, being  greatly  opprefled  with  the  tyranny 
of  the  comrniffioners  in  their  fupport  of  Gorges' 
claim,  made  application  to  the  general  court  of 
MaiTachufetts  to  take  the  country  again  under  their 
protection  and  jurifdiclion.* 

1668.  WHEN  the  cornmiflioners  had  concluded  their 
^^  bufmefs,  they  were  recalled  by  an  order  from  the 
king.  His  majefty  was  highly  difpleafed  with  the 
treatment  they  received  from  the  government  of 
Maflachufetts.  By  a  letter  to  the  colony,  he  or- 
dered them  to  fend  over  four  or  five  agents,  pro- 
mifing  to  hear  all  the  allegations,  that  could  be 
made  in  their  behalf,  and  intimating  that  he  was 
far  from  defiring  to  invade  their  charter.  He 
commanded  that  all  things  fhould  remain,  as  the 
commiflioners  had  fettled  them,  till  his  further  or- 
ders ;  and  that  thofe  perfons  who  had  been  im- 
prifoned  for  petitioninpr  Or  applying  to  the  com- 
miflioners, fhould  be  releafed.f 

NEITHER  the  gloomy  afpeft  of  their  civil  af- 
fairs, nor  their  experience  of  the  pernicious  ten- 
dency of'intolerant  meafuies,  could  deter  the  col- 
ony of  Maflachufetts  from  reviving  the  perfecution 
againd  the  Baptifts.  This  denomination  had  gath- 
ered one  church  at  Swanfey,  and  another  at  Bof- 
ton.  The  general  court  was  very  fevere  in  exe- 
cuting the  penal  laws,  in  confequence  of  which 
many  worthy , characters  were  ruined  by  fines,  im- 
prifonment  and  banifhment.  Complaints  of  this 

*  Sul/ivatt,  p.  374..     -J-  llittd'injon,  VoL  I.  p.  54.7. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  ny 

feverity  were  tranfmitted  to  England,  which  in-  1668. 
duced  the  diffenting  clergy  in  London  to  appear, 
at  length,  in  their  favor.  A  letter  was  according- 
ly fent  to  the  governor  of  Maffachufetts,  fubfcrib- 
ed  by  Dr.  Owen,  Mr.  Nye,  Mr.  Caryl,  and  nine 
other  celebrated  Puritan  minifters.  They  ear- 
neftly  requefled,  that  thofe,  who  were  imprifoned 
on  account  of  their,  religious  tenets,  might  be  re- 
Jlored  to  liberty,  and  that  the  fevere  laws  might 
not  in  future  be  executed.  This  excellent  letter 
produced  no  falutary  effect.  The  prifoners  were 
noj:  releafed,  nor  the  execution  of  the  penal  laws 
fufpended.* 

THE  Quakers,  alfo,  about  this  time  made  hea-  1669. 
vy  complaints  of  the  fufferings  of  their  friends  in 
New-England.  Though  fince  the  king's  letter  in 
i  $6 1,  none  of  the  penal  laws  had  been  executed 
againft  them ;  yet  the  government  treated  their 
itinerant  preachers  as  vagabonds.  The  chief  of 
the  London  Quakers  obtained  a  letter,  figned  by 
eleven  of  the  moft  eminent  diflenting  clergymen, 
in  favor  of  their  Brethren.  But  intolerant  princi- 
ples were  fo  deeply  implanted  in  the  inhabitants  of 
New- England,  that  all  efforts  to  eradicate  them 
£t  thib  period  proved  ineffectual.! 

ly  Vol.  I.  />,    373.      |   ItiJ,  /.  377. 


n8  HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Rife  and  progrefs  of  the  war  with  Philip,  king  of 
the  Wampanoags.  The  death  of  Philip  puts  a  pe- 
riod to  hoftilitief.  His  character.  Of  the  war 
with  the  Eaftern  Indians.  Peace  ratified  with 
all  the  Indian  tribes.  Flourijhing  ftate  of  New- 
England.  Of  the  third  fynod  in  Majfachufetts. 


s 


INGE  the  conteft  with  the  Pe- 
quod  Indians,  the  terror  of  the  Englifh  arms  had 
retrained  the  natives  from  hoftilities.  In  the 
mean  time,  Providence  had  fmiled  upon  the  New- 
England  fettlements,  and  multiplied  their  church- 
es. The  feafon  was  now  arrived,  in  which  the 
colonies  were  alarmed  with  the  gloomy  profpeft 
of  being  again  involved  in  an  Indian  war. 
1674.  IT  was  the  prevailing  opinion  of  the  Englifh  at 
^~*  this  period,  that  Philip,  fachem  of  the  Wampano- 
ags,  an  artful  and  afpiring  man,  partly  by  in- 
trigue, and  partly  by  example,  excited  his  coun- 
trymen to  a  general  combination  againfi  them. 
There  is,  however,  a  conftant  tradition  among  the 
pofterity  of  thofe  people,  who  lived  near,  and 
were  familiarly  converfant  with  him,  and  with 
thofe  of  his  Indians  who  furvived  the  war,  that  he 
was  impelled  to  hoftile  meafures  by  his  young 
men,  entirely  againft  his  own  judgment  and  that 
of  his  chief  counfellors.  Though  he  had  penetra- 


NEW-  ENGLAND.  119 

tion  enough  to  forefee  that  the  Englifh  would,  in  1674. 


time,  eftabliih  thetnfelves,  and  extirpate  the  In- 
dians,  yet  he  thought  making  war  upon  them 
would  only  haften  the  deftru&ion  of  his  own  peo- 
ple. When  he  found  it  impoflible  to  refift  any  ' 
longer  the  importunity  of  his  warriors,  he  ufed 
every  exertion  to  render  their  enterprize  effe&ual  ; 
efpecially  by  his  early  endeavours  to  perfuade  the 
other  Indians  to  unite  their  forces  againfl  the  col- 
onies. It  is  faid,  he  difiembled  his  hoftile  pur- 
pofes,  and  was  ready,  upon  every  fufpicion  of  his 
infidelity,  to  renew  his  fubmhTion,  and  teftify  it 
even  by  the  delivery  of  his  arms,  till  he  had  fe- 
cretly  infufed  a  cruel  jealoufy  into  many  of  the 
neighboring  Indians,  which  excited  them  to  at- 
tempt recovering  their  country  by  extirpating  the 
new  poflefibrs.* 

THE  war  was  precipitated  by  the  revenge  which  1675. 
Philip  caufed  to  be  taken  upon  John  Saufaman,  a 
praying  Indian.  He  had  been  educated  in  the 
profeffion  of  the  Chriftian  religion,  was  fome 
time  at  college,  and  employed  as  a  fchool  matter  at 
Natick.  At  length,  upon  fome  mifconducl:,  he 
fled  to  Philip,  who  made  him  fecretary,  chief 
counfellor  and  confidant.  He  remained  feveral 
years  with  this  Indian  prince,  till  Mr.  Eliot,  who 
had  been  his  fpiritual  father,  prevailed  upon  him 
to  return  to  the  Chriftian  Indians  at  Natick. 
There  he  manifefted  public  repentance  for  his 
apoflacy,  became  a  preacher,  and  was  difpatched 

*  Btlknap,  Ft/,1.  J>.  129.     Calltnder,  p.   73,  74. 


I2a  HISTORY     OF 

j  67  5.  upon  the  Wampanoag  miflion.  Having  difcover- 
ed  the  Indian  confpiracy,  he  revealed  it  to  the 
Englifh  governor.  Not  long  after,  he  was  mur- 
dered by  fome  of  Philip's  counfellors,  while  trav- 
elling the  country.  An  Indian,  who  was  acci- 
dentally on  a  hill  at  fome  diftance,  faw  the 
murder  committed.  The  murderers  were  appre- 
hended, and,  being  tried  upon  the  Indian's  tefli- 
mony,  and  other  circumftances,  were  convicted 
and  executed.* 

THIS  event  excited  the  keenefl  refentment  in 
King  Philip,  and  he  determined  to  be  revenged. 
The  Indians  reforted  to  him  from  various  parts, 
which  animated  him  with  frem  courage,  and  fiim- 
ulated  him  to  commence  hoftilities.  He  firft 
threatened  the  Englifh  at  Swanfey,  then  killed 
fome  of  their  cattle,  and  at  length  rifled  their 
houfes.  Irritated  by  this  infult,  one  of  the  Eng- 
lifh difcharged  his  gun,  and  wounded  an  Indian. 
When  the  governor  of  Plymouth  received  intel- 
ligence that  the  war  was  begun,  he  difpatched  a 
party  for  the^  defence  of  thofe  parts  ;  and  pro- 
claimed a  general  faft  throughout  the  colony.  As 
the  inhabitants  of  Swanfey  were  returning  from 
public  worfhip,  a  number  of  Indians,  who  lay  in 
ambufcade,  fired  upon  them,  killed  one  of  their 
company,  and  wounded  another.  They  next  in- 
tercepted and  killed  two  men,  who  were  fent  for 
a  furgeon.  The  fame  night  they  entered  the  town 
of  Swanfey,  and  murdered  fix  men. 

*  llutcbinfont  Val  1,  /».  285. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  121 

As  the  war  was  now  inevitable,  the  governor  1675, 
of  Plymouth  demanded  affiftance  from  the  confecU 
crated  colonies.  Mufiachufetts  detached  Capt. 
Prentice,  with  a  troop  of  horfe,  and  Capt.  Hench- 
man, with  a  company  of  foot.  They  were  follow- 
ed  by  a  number  of  volunteers,  under  Capt,  Mofe- 
ley.  They  marched  to  Swanfey,  and  joined  the 
Plymouth  forces,  who  were  commanded  by  Capt. 
Cudworth.  The  Indians,  who  feldom  could  be 
induced  to  engage  the  Europeans  in  their  own 
manner,  foon  retreated  with  precipitation  ;  while 
the  Englifh  took  pofleffion  of  Mount  Hope,  and 
ravaged  the  adjacent  country. 

THE  Maffachufetts  forces  marched  into  the  Nar- 
taganfet  country,  and  compelled  the  inhabitants  to 
renounce  their  alliance  with  King  Philip,  and  fign 
a  treaty  of  peace  and  amity  with  the  Engliih. 
They  engaged  to  exert  themfeives  to  deftroy  Philip 
and  his  adherents,  and  deliver  up  his  fubjects, 
who  mould  enter  their  territories.* 

As  a  reward,  they  were  promifed  two  coats  for 
every  living,  and  one  for  every  dead  Wampanoag, 
and  twenty  valuable  coats  for  Philip's  head. 

IN  the  mean  time  Capt.  Cudworth,  with  the 
Plymouth  forces,  was  detached  to  deter  the  Po- 
caffet  Indians  from  joining  with  Philip  ;  but  upon 
his  arrival,  he  found  they  had  already  taken  an 
aclivc  part.  Capt.  Church,  of  Plymouth  colony, 
who  published  an  account  of  his  exploits,!  with 
Capt.  Fuller,  and  two  fmall  detachments,  ranged 

*  Hitt^infon,  Vol.  I.  p.  289. 

f  S€£  Cburctfs  Hiflcy  of  PhiM*  War* 


122  HISTORY    OF 

1675.  the  woods,  in  order  to  engage  the  enemy.     They 
were  overpowered  by  an  army  of  twenty   times 
their  number,     Gapt.  Fuller  and  his  men   fled  to 
an  houfe  by  the  water  fide,  which  they  endeavour- 
ed  to  defend  till  a  iloo-p  from  Rhode-Iiland  reliev- 
ed  them   from  that   dangerous  fituation.     Capt* 
Church,  \vlih  fifteen  men,  was  furrounded  in  a 
peafe-fkld  by   two   hundred  Indians*      Notwith- 
ilanding  the  inequality   of  numbers,    he   fought 
with  invincible  courage  and  f efolution.     At  length 
he  arrived  at  the  water  fide,  and  defended   him- 
felf  behind  a  barricade  of  (lanes,  till  he   was  re- 
moved in  a  Hoop  to    Rhode- Jfland,  without   the 
lofs  of  one  of  his  men.     When  he  had  refrefhed 
his  men  a  few  days  in  the  iiland,  he  palled  over 
to  the  continent,  and  borrowing  three  files  of  men 
from  the  Mafiacbttfettl  forces,  again  engaged  the 
PocaiTet  Indians,  and  killed  thirteen  or  fourteen 
upon  the  fpot.     This  event  terrified  them  to  iuch  a 
degree,  that  the  remainder  retired  into  the  woods, 
and  appeared  no  more  in  a  body  in  the  open 
country.* 

THE  detachment,  which  was  fent  againft  the  Po- 
caiTets,  joined  the  army  as  foon  as  the  treaty  with 
the  Narraganfets  was  completed.  At  that  period, 
information  being  given  by  fome  deferters,  that 
Philip  and  his  men  were  in  a  fwamp  at  FocalTet, 
it  was  determined  to  befiege  him.  The  Englilh 
army  refolutely  entered  the  thicket,  but  when  they 
had  advanced  a  few  paces,  the  Indians  fired  upon 

*  Ma/t  Pol.   Lf>  67,     CfarcVi  Ufa?  tf  Fbitfs    War,  p. 
IB,    J9,    20. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  123 

them  from  behind  the  bufhes,  and  at  one  difcharge  1675. 
killed  five,  and  mortally  wounded  fix  or  feven  of 
their  number.  This  induced  them  to  turn  their 
attack  into  a  blockade,  which  they  formed  with  an 
hundred  men,  hoping  that  famine  would  in  that 
cafe  pblige  the  Indian  prince  to  furrender. 

PHILIP  had  the  addrefs  to  baffle  this  attempt. 
There  was  a  large  river,  which  ran  by  the  fide  of 
the  thicket,  which  a  party  of  Englifh,  polled  on  the 
other  fide,  were  to  obferve.  Philip  and  his  men, 
having  cut  down  fome  rafts  of  timber,  took  advan- 
tage of  a  low  tide,  and  in  the  night  crofTed  the 
river  without  being  obferved,  and  efcaped  into 
the  Nipmuck  country. — One  hundred  of  his  war- 
riors, however,  were  made  prifoners.* 

THE  Nipmuck  Indians  inhabited  the  inland 
parts  between  the  fea  coafts  and  Connecticut  river, 
within  the  jurifdiction  of  the  colony  of  Maffachu- 
fetts.  The  Engliih  had  in  vain  endeavoured  -to 
detach  them  from  Philip's  intereft.  After  they 
heard  of  that  prince's  arrival  in  their  country,  they 
fired  upon  Capt.  Hutchinfon,  one  of  the  officers 
fent  to  negociate  with  them.  He  was  mortally 
wounded,  eight  of  his  men  killed  on  the  fpot, 
and  the  red  obliged  precipitately  to  retreat.  Phil- 
ip,  who  was  reinforced,  purfued  and  drove  about 
feventy  of  them  into  an  houfe,  where  they  mud 
probably  have  been  taken  or  burnt,  had  they  not 
fortunately  been  relieved  by  Major  Willard,  who 
engaged  the  Indians  with  a  finall  party,  killed 
eighty  of  them,  and  obliged  Philip  and  his  army 

to  retreat. f 

*  Matter  >  Bnk  VIL  j>,  47.    -f  Ibid,  /-  48. 


124  HISTORY    OF 

167*;.      DURING  the  remainder  of  the  year,  this  bloody 


war  fpread  over  New-England.  The  Indians  in 
the  feveral  colonies  were  roufed  to  arms,  and  their 
progrefs  through  the  country  was  marked  with  ter- 
ror and  defolarion.  Philip  and  his  allies  conduct- 
ed the  war  with  energy,  in  this,  and  part  of  the 
following  year.  In  September,  they  burnt  and  de- 
ftroyed  the  plantation  of  Deerfield,  Encouraged 
by  this  fuccefs,  they  fcon  aftei  burnt  thirty-two 
houfes  at  Springfield,  and,  had  not  their  defign 
been  difcovered,  would  have  mafTacred  all  the  in- 
habitants. They  alfo  laid  the  town  of  Mendon  in 
1676.  afhes.  On  the  loth  of  February,  they  plundered 
the  town  of  Lancafter,  burnt  feveral  houfes,  and 
killed  and  captured  forty-two  pcrfons. 

SOON  after  they  did  great  mifchief  in  Marino- 
rough,  Sudbury  and  Chelmsford.  On  the  2  ill  of 
February,  two  or  three  hundred  Indians  furprized 
Medfield,  burnt  half  the  town,  and  killed  twenty  of 
the  inhabitants.  Four  days  after,  they  burnt  feven 
or  eight  houfes  in  Weymouth.  In  the  beginning 
of  March  they  burnt  the  whole  town  of  Grcton. 
The  fame  month  they  burnt  five  houfes,  and  killed 
five  peribns  in  Northampton  ;  furprized  part  of  the 
town  of  Plymouth,  and  murdered  two  families  in 
the  night.  They  laid  the  town  of  Warwick  in 
afhes,  burnt  forty  houfes  in  Rehcboth,  and  thirty 
in  Providence.* 

ON  the  other  hand,  large  numbers  of  Indians 
were  deilroyed  by  the  colonlfts.     Particularly  in 

f.    17. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  125 

1675,  when  Philip  and  his  army  retreated  into 
the  Narraganfet  country,  the  Englifh  purfued 
them,  and  attacked  a  fort,  which  the  Indians 
deemed  impregnable.  The  fort  was  burnt  down, 
and  the  fortifications  levelled  ;  feven  hundred  In- 
dian wairiors  perifhed  in  the  aclion,  among  whom 
wrere  above  twenty  of  their  chief  captains.  There 
\vere  alfo  three  hundred  who  died  of  their  wounds, 
befides  a  vaft  number  of  defencelefs  old  men,  wo- 
men and  children,  who  had  repaired  to  the  fort 
for  refuge.  The  Engliih  had  fix  captains  and 
eighty- five  men  killed  ;  and  an  hundred  and  fifty 
men  wounded.* 

IN  1676,  the  affairs  of  the  colonids  wore  a  lefs 
gloomy  afpec~h  In  May  and  June,  the  Indians 
appeared  in  arms  in  various  parts  of  the  country, 
but  their  energy  abated,  and  their  diflreffes  for 
want  of  provifions  increafed.  At  the  fame  period  a 
war  with  the  Mohawks  deranged  all  their  meafures. 
It  is  reported,  that  after  Philip  had  in  vain  urged 
every  motive  to  induce  this  nation  to  commence 
hofliliries  with  the  colonies,  he  killed  a  party  of 
their  men,  and  informed  their  prince,  that  the 
Englifh  had  invaded  his  lands,  and  were  murder- 
ing  his  fubje&s.  He  expected  by  this  artifice  to 
irritate  them  againft  the  colonies  ;  but  one  of  the 
Indians,  who  was  left  for  dead,  revived,  and  ef- 
caped  to  his  countrymen,  and  informed  them  of 
the  truth.  This  event  exafperated  them  to  the 
higheft  degree  againft  Philip,  and  ftimulated  them 

*  Mathr.      Book    ni,  fm    50.       Modern   Uaiwjal  Uijlorj. 
rot.  /i/A.  p   305. 


125  HISTORY     OF 

1676.  to  revenge.  They  immediately  formed  an  alliance 
with  the  Englilh,  which  was  of  effential  fervice  to 
their  affairs. 

AFTER  this  event  the  arms  of  the  Connecticut, 
Maflachufetts  and  Plymouth  forces,  were,  in  various 
inftances,  crowned  with  fuccefs.  No  commander 
performed  greater  exploits  in  this  war,  than  Capt. 
Church,  of  Plymouth  colony.  But  Philip  was 
the  foul  of  the  Indian  confederacy.  Upon  his  life 
or  death  war  or  peace  depended.  The  colonies 
received  intelligence,  that,  after  a  year's  abfence, 
he  had  returned  to  Mount  Hope,  and  that  large 
numbers  of  Indians  were  repairing  to  him,  with 
Intent  to  affault  the  neighboring  towns.  MafTu- 
chufetts  and  Plymouth  ordered  their  forces  to  pur- 
fue  Philip.  The  former  returned  to  Boflon,  without 
accomplishing  the  moil  important  purpofe  of  their 
expedition  ;  but  they  had  killed  and  captured  an 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  the  Indians  were  fo  dif- 
phited,  that  they  were  continually  arriving  and 
fur  rendering  themfelves,  upon  promife  of  mercy, 
Philip  was  at  this  time  in  an  extremely  melancholy 
fituation.  He  was  obliged  to  flee  for  fafety  from 
one  fwam.p  -to  another.  lie  had  loft  his  chief  coun- 
fellors,  his  uncle  and  filter,  and,  at  length,  his  wife 
and  fon  were, taken  prifoners.  One  of  his  allies, 
the  queen  of  PocafFcr,  on  being  furprized  by  the 
Englifh,  magnanimoufly  animated  her  men  to  hold 
out  to  the  lad  extremity  ;  but  they  meanly  defert- 
ed  her,  and  (he  v/as  drowned  in  endeavouring  to 
efcape,* 

*  Hubbard.     Ckurch, 


NEW -ENGLAND.  127 

SOON  after  this  event,  Philip  himfelf  was  be-  1676. 
trayed  by  one  of  his  friends  and  counfellors,  whom 
he  had  exafperated  by  killing  an  Indian,  who  pre- 
fumed  to  mention  to  him  an  expedient  for  mak- 
ing peace  with  the  colonies.  He  effected  his  ef- 
cape  to  Rhode-Ifland,  and  difcovered  where  Philip 
was  concealed,  and  the  means  by  which  he  might 
be  furprized.  Capt.  Church,  on  receiving  this 
intelligence,  went  with  a  fmall  party,  and  found 
him  in  a  fwamp  near  Mount  Hope.  He  attempt- 
ed in  vain  to  efcape ;  one  of  his  men  whom  lie 
had  offended,  and  who  had  deferted  to  the  Eng- 
lifh,  (hot  him  through  the  heart.* 

THUS  died  Philip,  fachem  of  the  Wampano- 
ags,  an  implacable  enemy  to  the  Engliih  nation. 
He  has  been  reprefented  as  "  a  bold  and  daring 
prince,  having  all  the  pride,  fiercenefs  and  cruelty 
of  a  favage  in  his  difpofition,  with  a  mixture  of  deep 
cunning  and  defign."f  But  that  undaunted  cour- 
age, energy  of  mind,  and  love  of  country  which  ; 
adorned  his  character,  and  which  have  immortalized 
monarchs  in  the  civilized  world,  have  been  little 
celebrated  in  this  Indian  prince  ;  and  we  have  been 
led  to  contemplate  only  his  vices,  which,  deftitute 
of  the  colorings  of  polilhed  life,  appear  in  their 
native  deformity. 

.ABOUT  the  fame  period  in  which  Philip  began 
hoflilities  in  Plymouth  colony,  the  eaftern  Indians 
were  infuliing  the  inhabitants  of  New-Hampfhire 
and,  the  Province  of  Maine.  The  fraudulent 

*  HulfarJ.  p.Jl,      f 


X23  HISTORY    OF 

1675.  methods   of  trading  with   the  natives,  and  forae 
v*rv"N-'  other  injuries,  were  alledged  as   the  grounds  of 

this  war.  The  Indians  for  fome  time  diffembled 
their  refentment,  but  the  infurreclion  at  Plymouth 
infpired  them  with  courage,  and  they  fpiead  dif- 
trefs  and  defolation  in  their  extenfive  ravages.  To 
defcribe  the  effects  of  the  war  in  the  words  of  an 
elegant  author,  "  All  the  plantations  at  Pifcata- 
qua,  with  the  whole  eaftern  country,  were  now 
filled  with  fear  and  confufion  ;  bufmefs  was  fuf- 
pended,  and  every  man  was  obliged  to  provide 
for  his  own  and  his  family's  fafety.  The  on- 
ly way  was  to  defert  their  habitations,  and  re- 
tire together  within  the  larger  and  more  conveni- 
ent houfes,  which  they  fortified  with  a  timber 
wall  and  flankarts,  placing  a  fentry-box.  on  the 
roof.  Thus  the  labor  of  the  field  was  exchanged 
for  the  duty  of  the  garrifon,  and  they,  who  had 
long  lived  in  peace  and  fecurity,  were  upon  their 
guard  night  and  day,  fubjecl  to  continual  alarms, 
and  the  mod  fearful  apprehenfions."* 

THE  narrow  limits  of  this  work  will  not  ad- 
mit of  giving  particular  accounts  of  the  Indian 
wars.  The  autumn  of  this  year  was  fpent  in  imall 
but  irritating  affaults  and  ikirmimes,  till  the  end 
of  November,  when  the  number  of  people  killed 
and  taken  from  Kennebec  and  Pifcataqua  amount- 
ed to  upwards  of  fifty. 

1676.  THE  fubfequent  winter,  the  feverity  of  the  fea- 
fon,  and  the  fcarcity  of  their  provifions,  reduced 

*  Belkn*p>  Vol.  /./.  137. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  129 

the  Indians  to  the   neceffity   of  fuing   for   peace.  1676. 
By  the  mediation   of  Major  Waldron,  to    whom  v^vx-> 
they    applied,    a  peace   was    concluded  with  the 
\vhole  body  of  eaftern  Indians,  which  continued 
till  the  next  Auguft. 

THE  renewal  of  hoftilities,  induced  the  MafTa- 
chufetts  government  to  fend  a  body  of  troops  to 
the  eaftward  in  the  beginning  of  autumn.  They 
furprized  four  hundred  Indians,  at  the  houfe  of 
Major  Waldron,  with  whom  they  had  made  the 
peace,  and  whom  they  confidered  as  their  friend 
and  father.  They  were  feized  and  difarmed  with- 
out the  lofs  of  a  man  on  either  fide.  A  fepara- 
tion  was  made,  and  thofe  Indians  who  had  previ- 
oufly  joined  in  concluding  a  peace  were  peacea- 
bly difmiffed.  Two  hundred  of  thofe  who  had 
fled  from  the  fouthward,  and  taken  refuge  among 
them,  were  made  prifoners ;  and  being  fent  to 
Bofton,  feven  or  eight  of  them,  who  were  known 
to  have  killed  feveral  Englifhmen, ,  were  condemn- 
ed and  executed  ;  the  reft  were  tranfported  and 
ibid  for  Haves  in  foreign  parts.* 

THE  war  was  continued  the  remainder  of  this,  1677. 
and  the  fubfequent  year ;  in  which  period  the  In- 
dians ravaged  the  country,  and  greatly  reduced 
the  eaftern  fettlements.f 

IN  the  fpring  of  this  year,  commiflioners  were  1678, 
appointed  to  fettle  a  formal  treaty  of  peace  with 
the  Indian  chiefs,  which  was  done  at   Cafco,  whi- 
ther they  had  brought  the  remainder  of  the  cap* 

ol.1  /.  143.     f  Ibid,  p.  154— 1S& 
A 


1 3o.  HISTORY     OF 

1678.  tives.  It  was  {Updated  in  the  treaty,  that  the 
^y^  inhabitants  fhould  returri  to  their  deferted  fettle, 
merits,  on  condition  of  pacing  one  peck  of  corn, 
annually,  for  each  family,  byway  of  acknowledg- 
ment to  the  Indians  for  the  pofleffion  of  their  lands, 
and  one  buihel  ro  Major  Pendleton,  who  was  a 
great  proprietor.  Thus  an  end  was  put  to  a  tedi- 
ous and  diftrefling  war,  which  had  lubfifted  three 
years.* 

AFTER  the  ratification  of  peace,  commerce  be- 
gan to  flourifh,  and  the  population  of  the  country 
rapidly  increafed.     Several  new  towns  were  fettled 
in  New-Hampfhire  and   the  Province   of  Maine. 
Rhode-Iiland  alib  greatly  increafed,  and  the  town- 
Ihips  of  King(town,t  Eaft-  Green  wichj  and  Jamef- 
town  .>||  were  incorporated  in  that  colony. § 
2677.      WHILST  the  New-England  forces  were   in  the 
"^^  field,  the  churches   frequently    obferved    days   of 
failing  and  prayer,  for  the  fuccds   of  their  arms. 
After   peace  was    eflablifhed,    a   licentioufnefs  of 
manners   prevailed,  which    was    highly   alarming 
to  feiious  and  devout  people.     The  general   court 
of  Maffachufetts  convened  a  fynod  to  examine  the 
f! ate  of  religion,  and  prevent   the  increiife  ofpro- 
fanenefs  and  impiety.     The  fvnod   agreed,    that 
there  was  a  general  decay  of  piety,  and  a  preva- 
lence  of  pride,    intemperance,    profanenefs  and 
other  vices.     They  advifcd,  that  in  order  to  pro- 
mote a  reformation,  the  clergy  fiiould  be   exhort- 
ed ro  bear  the  ftrongcfl:  teftimony  s.gain(l  the  vices 

*  Belknap,  Vol.   1.  p.    158.  %  f   ^674,      {    1677.      ij  1678. 
§  Providim*  Colony  Records, 


NEW -ENGLAND.  131 

of  the  age,  in  their  public  difcourfes,  and  that  the  1677* 
magiftrates  fhould  be  vigilant  in  putting  the  laws  v-"v<Nrf 
in  execution.* 

IN  the  fame  fynod  the  platform  of  church  dif- 
cipline,  prepared  in  the  year  1658,  was  recogniz- 
ed and  confirmed  by  the  following  vote.  u  A 
fynod  of  the  churches  of  the  colony  of  Maffachu- 
ietts  being  called  to  meet  at  Bafton,  September, 
1679,  having  read  and  confulered  a  platform  of 
church  difcipliae.  agreed  upon  by  the  fynod  aflern- 
bled  at  Cambridge,.  1658,  do  unanimotifly  approve 
•of  the  fame  platform  as  to  the  fubftance  of  it,  de- 
firing  that  the  churches  may  continue  ftedfafl  in 
the  order  of  the  gofpel,  according  to  what  is  there* 
in  declared  from  the  word  of  God."f 

THIS  year,  the  agents  of  Maifachufetts  being 
in  England,  the  general  court  presented  feverai 
addreffes  to  the  king,  and  made  feverai  laws  to  re* 
move  forne  of  the  exceptions  which  were  taken 
agaiafl  them  by  the  Britifh  government. 

*    Mafeer,   Book  f.  p.  85  —  91. 

•)•  HejitU  efibt  ItiyjAcbufetts  fy/W,  ^>c  6. 


HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER    X. 

The  government  of  New-HampJhire  feparated  from 
Mqfflicbufetts,  and  mads  a  royal  province.  Of 
Craiificld's  cpprejjlve  government.  The  colonies 
are  deprived  of  their  charters.  Colonel  Dudley 
appointed  prcfident  of  New- England.  He  is  fuper- 
feded  by  Sir  Edmund  Andros^  *wfo0  }s  appointed 
governor.  His  arbitrary  proceedings.  The  revo- 
lution in  England  puts  a  period  to  the  opprc/Jlon  of 
the  colonies. 


w 


H  I  L  S  T  the  Indian  tribes 
were  endeavouring  to  extirpate  the  Englifh,  ene- 
mies of  another  kind  were  ufmg  every  effort  to  de- 
prive them  of  their  privileges,  by  artful  and  exag- 
gerated accounts  of  their  conduct  to  the  government 
of  England. 

1679.  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  had  long  fubfifted  under  the 
government  of  MaflTachufetts,  and  the  union  was, 
in  general,  fatisfa&ory  to  both  colonies.  This 
year  a  reparation  took  place,  by  means  of  one  Mr. 
Mafon,  who  claimed  a  right  to  the  country,  frorn 
his  grandfather,  Capt.  John  Mafon,  who  had  ob* 
tained  grants  of  New-Hampfhire  from  the  council 
of  New-England.  Mafon  was  aflifted  in  his  claim 
by  Edward  Randolph,  his  kinfman,  a  man  of  great 
addrefs  and  penetration,  who  was  refolute  and  in» 
defatigable  in  bufinefs.  This  gentleman,  by  fe- 
vere  invectives,  inflamed  the  prejudices  which  ha4 


NEW-ENGLAND,  i  J3 

been  conceived  in  England   againft  the   colony;  1679. 
and  though  agents  were  difpatched  to  obviate  the 
effects  of  his  mifreprefentations,  yet  his  artful  and 
malevolent  attempts  were  crowned  with  fuccefs.* 

ON  the  1 8th  of  September,  a  commiflion  paffed 
the  great  feal  for  the  government  of  New-Hamp- 
{hire,  which  feparated  this  colony  from  the  jurii- 
didtion  of  Malfachufetts.  A  prefident  and  council 
Were  appointed  by  the  king  for  the  government 
of  the  province.  The  faid  prefident  and  every 
fucceeding  one  to  appoint  a  deputy  to  prefi-de  in 
his  abfence ;  the  prefident  or  his  deputy,  with  any 
five,  to  be  a  quorum.  They  were  to  meet  at 
Portfmouth  in  twenty  days  after  the  arrival  of  the 
commiflion,  and  publiih  it.  They  were  conftitut- 
ed  a  court  of  record  for  the  adminiftration  of  juf- 
tice,  according  to  the  laws  of  England,  fo  far  as 
circumflances  would  permit ;  referving  a  right  of 
appeal  to  the  king  in  council  for  actions  of  fifty 
pounds  value.  They  were  empowered  to  appoint 
military  officers,  and  take  all  needful  meafures  for 
defence  againft  enemies.  Liberty  of  confcience 
was  allowed  to  all  Proteftants,  thofe  of  the  church 
of  England  to  be  particularly  encouraged.  For 
the  fupport  of  government  they  were  to  continue 
the  prefent  taxes,  till  an  aflembly  could  be  con-" 
voked,  to  which  end  they  were,  within  three 
months,  to  iffue  writs  under  the  province  feal* 
for  calling  an  affembly,  to  whom  the  prefident 
fliould  recommend  paffing  fuch  laws  as  fhould  ef- 

*  Btlknaft  Vol.  1.  f.  165—168. 


HISTORY    OF 

1679.  tablifh  their  allegiance,  order  and  defence,  and 
raifmg  taxes  in  fuch  a  manner  as  they  fhould  fee 
fit.  All  laws  to  be  approved  by  the  prefident  and 
council,  arid  to  remain  in  force  till  the  king's  plea* 
fure  fhould  be  known,  for  which  purpofe  they 
fhould  be  tranfmitted  to  England  by  the  firfl  mips. 
In  cafe  of  the  prefident's  death,  his  deputy  to  fuc- 
eeed,  and  on  the  death  of  a  counfelior,  the  re- 
mainder to  elect  another,  and  fend  over  his  name, 
with  the  names  of  two  other  fuitable  perfons,  that 
the  king  might  appoint  one  of  the  three.  The 
king  engaged,  for  hirafeif  and  fucceifors,  to  con. 
tinue  the  privilege  of  an  aflembly,  in  the  fame 
manner  and  form,  unlefs  by  inconveniences  ariiing 
therefrom,  he  or  his  heirs  fhould  think  proper  to 
make  an  alteration.* 

THE  ingenious  author  of  the  Hi  (lory  of  New. 
Hampmire  obferves,  that  <c  the  form  of  govern- 
ment defcribed  in  this  comrniilkm,  confidered  ab- 
ftracledly  from  the  immediate  intentions,  charac- 
ters, and  connexions  of  the  perfons  concerned, 
appears  to  be  of  as  fimple  a  kind  as  the  nature  of 
a  fubordinate  government  and  the  liberty  of  the 
fubjecl  can  admit.  The  people,  who  are  the  nat- 
ural and  original  fource  of  power,  had  a  repre- 
fentation  in  a  body  choien  by  tbemfelves  ;  and  the 
king  was  reprefented  by  a  prefident  and  council  of 
his  own  appointment  ;  each  had  the  right  of  in- 
ftrucHng  their  reprefentatives,  and  the  king  had 
the  fuperior  prerogative  of  difaftrmllirig  the  ads  qf 

i'roi  I.  f,  170—^2, 


NE  W-ENGL  AND.  135 

the  whole  at  his  pleafure.     The  principal  blemifli  1 679. 
in    the  commiilion  was  the  right  claimed  by  the  v^v^' 
king  of  difcontinuing  the  reprefentation  of  the  peo- 
ple, whenever  he  fhould  find  it  inconvenient,  after 
he  had  folemnly  engaged  to  continue  this  privilege." 

THE  commiflion  was  brought  to  Portfmouth  1680. 
on  the  I  ft  of  January,  by  Edward  Randolph, 
whole  known  enmity  to  the  privileges  of  the  peo- 
pie  rendered  him  a  mod  unwelcome  meiTenger. 
In  order  to  conciliate  the  minds  of  the  people  to 
this  government,  the  king  nominated  for  the  firft 
council  gentlemen  of  the  mofl  dillinguimed  char- 
acters, who  had  fuftained  the  principal  offices,  civ- 
il and  military,  under  the  colonial  government. 
Thefe  gentlemen  received  the  commiiTion  with 
great  reluctance  ;  but  the  unavoidable  neceflity  of 
fubmitting  to  changes,  and  the  apprehenfion  that 
upon  their  refufai  to  accept  the  appointment, 
others  would  be  fubftituted  who  were  inimical  to 
their  country,  induced  them  to  qualify  them- 
felves  to  act  in  their  new  capacity.* 

THIS  change  of  government  gratified  the  dif- 
contented  few,  but  was  greatly  difrelifhed  by  the 
people  in  general,  as  they  faw  therofelves  deprived 
of  the  privilege  of  chufmg  their  own  rulers,  which 
was  ftill  enjoyed  by  the  other  colonies  of  New- 
England,  and  as  they  expected  an  invafion  of 
their  property  foon  to  follow. 

A  GSKERAL  ailembly  was  convoked  in  Februa- 
ry, who  at  their  finl  meeting,  on  the  ioth  of 


HISTORY  PF 

1680.  March,  wrote  to  the  general  court  at  Bofton, 
^^  gratefully  acknowledging  their  obligations  to  Maf- 
fachufetts,  and  their  entire  fatisfa&ion  in  their  pail 
connexion,  afferting,  that  fuhmiilion  to  Divine 
Providence,  and  his  majefty's  commands,  alone 
induced  them  to  comply  with  the  prefent  fepara- 
tion,  and  defiring  that  a  mutual  correfpondence 
might  be  fettled. 

THEIR  next  care  was  to  frame  a  code  of  laws, 
of  which  the  firft,  conceived  in  the  ftyle  becom- 
ing freemen,  was,  "  That  no  aft,  impoiition,  law 
or  ordinance,  mould  be  made  or  impofed  upon, 
them,  but  fuch  as  mould  be  made  by  the  aflem- 
bly,  and  approved  by  the  prefident  and  council."* 
DURING  this  adminiftration,  affairs  were  con- 
dueled  as  nearly  as  poffible  in  the  fame  manner  as 
before  the  feparation.  The  people  kept  a  jealous 
\vatch  over  their  privileges,  and  every  encroach- 
ment was  withilood  to  the  utmofl.  Hence  the 
arbitrary  proceedings  of  Randolph,  who  was  ap- 
pointed coileclor,  furveyor  and  fearcher  of  the 
cuftoms  throughout  New-England,  excited  univer- 
fal  diftruft.f 

1682.  AFTER  Mafon  was  convinced  that  the  new  gov- 
ernment  would  not  be  adminiftered  in  a  manner 
favorable  to  his  views,  on  his  return  to  England, 
he  made  it  his  bufmefs  to  iblicit  a  change.  He 
fucceeded,  and  Edward  Cranfield,  Efq.  was  ap- 
pointed lieutenant-governor  and  commander  iu 
chief  of  New-Harnpfhire. 

«  Bclknap,  VoL  Lp.  177.     f  Ibid,  p.  i3i. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  137 

IN  this  commiflion,  which  bears  date  the    9th  1680. 
of  May,  the  governor  was  empowered  to  call,  ad-  v'-orw 
journ,  prorogue  and  diflblve  general  courts ;  to 
have  a  negative  voice  in  all    acts  of  government ; 
to  fufpend  any  of  the  council,  when  he  fhoulcl  fee 
jufl  caufe  ;  (and  every  counfellor  fo  fufpended  was 
declared  incapable  of  being  elected  into  the  gener- 
al ailembly  ;)  to  appoint  a  deputy-governor,  judg- 
es, juftiees,  and  other  officers,  by  his  fole  authori- 
ty, and  to  execute  the  powers  of  vice-admiral. 

CRANFIELD  arrived  and  publifhed  his  commif- 
flon  on  the  4th  of  October.  He  loon  exhibited 
his  arbitrary  principles,  by  removing  feveral  in- 
fluential popular  characters  from  the  council,  and 
appointed  fuch  as  he  could  render  fubfervient  to 
his  purpofes. 

AFTER  this,  he  convoked  an  afiethbly,  and  dif-  1682, 
folved  them  upon  their  refufmg  to  accede    to  his  v-^~ 
meafures.     Some  time  after,  he  called  another  af- 
fe.nbly,  and  diflblved    them  in  the  fame    manner. 
He  with  his  council  alTumed  the   whole  legiflative 
power.     He  even  ventured  to  tax  the  people  with- 
out their  confent.     Thofc,  who  oppoied  his  arbi- 
trary government,   were  imprifoned,    and   treated 
with  rigorous  fe verity.* 

AFTER  Cranfield  had   infringed   upon  the  civil  1684. 
rights  of  the  people,  he  determined   to  fupprefs 
their  ecciefiaftical  privileges.     He  had   attempted 
to  impofe  the   I3th   of  January  as  a  fad,  and  re- 
ilrain  them  from  manual  labor  at  Chriftmas ;  but 

Vol  I.  p.  193—197, 

S 


138  HISTORY     OF 

1684.  his  capital  ftroke  was  to  ififue  an  order  In  council^ 
•^v^  cc  that  after  the  ift  of  January,  the  clergy  ihould 
admit  all  peyfons  of  fuitable  years,  and  not  vicious, 
to  the  Lord's  fupper,  and  their  children  to  bap- 
tifm  ;  and  that  if  any  perfon  ihould  defire  bap- 
nfm  or  the  other  facrameiu  to  be  adrainiftered  ac- 
cording to-  the  liturgy  of  the  church  of  England, 
it  ihould  be  done,  in  purfuance  of  the  king's  com- 
mand to  the  colony  of  Mafia eliufc:t3 ;  and  any 
minifter  refilling  fo  to  do,  Ihould  fuifer  the  penal- 
ty of  the  (latutes  of  nonconformity." 

MR.  Moody,  mi-niiler  of  Portfinouth,  was  mark- 
ed out  by  the  governor,  as  an  object  of  peculiar 
vengeance.  He  had  for  ferae  time  rendered  him- 
felf  obnoxious  by  the  freedom  and  plairmefs  of  his 
pulpit  difcourfes,  and  his  fliichief*  in  adminif- 
tering  the  dilcipline  of  the  church.. 

AN  inftance  of  church  difcipline,  by  \vhich  Mr, 
Moody  irritated  Craniiekl  in-  the  highefL  degree, 
is  thusrchted  by  Dr.  Beflcixiip.  cc  Randolph  hav- 
ing  feized  a  veilel, -flic  \vas  in  the  night  carried 
out  of  the  harbor.  The  owner,  \vlio  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  fwore  that  he  knew  nothing, 
of  it  ;  but  upon  trial,  there  appeared  {hong  fuf- 
picion  that  he  had  perjured  himfeif.  lie  found 
means  to  make  up  the  matter  \\iih  the  governor 
•UK!  collector  ;  but  Moody,  being  concerned  for 
•fh-j  purity  ot  his  church,  reqticfted  of  the  govern- 
or copies  of  the  evidence,  that  the  offlu .!•_:'  i 
»u.'  called  to^  account  in  the  \vay  of  ecclcnaiViCat 
difcipline.  Ci-anftcld  licrnly  rcfufc33  ^yiiij/j  that 


N  E  W  - 1  N  G  L  A  N  D.  139 

he  himfelf  had  forgiven  him,  and  that  neither  the  1684. 
church  nor  rainifter  mould  meddle  with  him  ;  and 
even  threatened  Moody  in  cafe  he  lliould.  Not 
intimidated,  Moody  confuUed  the  church,  and 
preached  a  fermon  againil  falfe  fwcaring.  Then 
the  ofFender,  being  called  to  account,  was  cenfur- 
ed,  and,  at  length,  brought  to>  public  confeffion."* 

THE  acl,  which  had  lately  pailed,  afforded  Cran- 
field  an  opportunity  to  gratify  his  refentmenf. 
lie  ilgnified  to  Mr.  Moody,  that  himfelf,  with  Ma- 
Ton  and  Hinckes,  intended  to  partake  of  the  Lord's 
flipper  the  next  Sunday  ;  requiring  him  to  admin- 
iiler  it  to  them  according  to  the  liturgy.  Agree- 
ably to  their  expectation,  he  refufed  a  compli- 
ance. Mr.  Moody  was  then  profecutcd,  and  iin- 
prihji?ed  for  thirteen  weeks.  At  length  he  obtain- 
? .:.  a  releafe,  though  under  a  ilrict  charge  to  preach 
no  more  within  the  province,  upon  penalty  of  far- 
:her  imprifonment.  He  then  accepted  an  invita- 
tion from  the  fir  it  church  in  Boilon,  where  he 
Was  highly  efteemed,  and  roiitinued  til!  1^92, 
Upon  a  change  of  government.,  lie  returned  to  his 
charge  in  Portfmouth,  where  he  fpent  the  remain- 
der of  his  days  in  ufofulnefs,  love  and  p;.:;ice.f 

AT  length,  the  governor,  being  difappoin ted  in  160^. 
his  plans  of  enriching  himfelf,  and   fearing  the  if-   ^"^-' 
fie  of  the  people's  remonftrances  to    the  court  of 
Crcat-Britaiii,    private] v    enibarkcd  for   Jamaica, 
?nd  thence    to   England,  where  he    obtained    ihe 
colleaordiip  of  Barbados.     Ba.refooie,  the  deputy- 
governor,  fuccecdej  at  his  departure. 

*  £ttt,u/>,  /V././.  205.     f  Hid,  P.  «Q$. 


i4o  HISTORY     OF 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE  was  not  the  only  colony 
which  felt  the  oppreflion  of  arbitrary  power.  The 
people  of  MaiTachufetts  had  long  been  viewed 
with  a  jealous  eye.  Though  the  king  had  repeat- 
edly  allured  them  of  his  protection,  and  folemn- 
ly  confirmed  their  charter  privileges,  yet  their 
fpirit  and  principles  were  fo  totally  diilbnant  to  the 
corrupt  views  of  the  court,  that  intriguing  men. 
found  eafy  accefs  to  the  royal  ear,  with  com- 
plaints againft  them.  Of  thefe,  the  mod  invete- 
rate and  indefatigable  was  Randolph,  who  made 
no  lefs  than  eight  voyages  in  nine  years  acrofs 
the  Atlantic,  on  this  mifchievous  bufmefs.  They 
were  accufed  of  extending  their  jurifdi&ion  be- 
yond the  bounds  of  their  patent ;  of  invading  the 
prerogative  by  coining  money  ;  of  not  allowing 
appeals  to  the  king  from  their  courts,  and  of  ob- 
ftru&ing  the  execution  of  the  navigation  and  trade 
laws.  By  the  king's  command  agents  were  fent 
over,  to  anfvver  thefe  complaints.  They  found 
the  prejudice  againfl  the  colony  fo  flrong,  that  it 
was  in  vain  to  witMand  it ;  and  folicited  inftruc- 
tions  whether  to  fubmit  to  the  king's  pleafure,  or 
refift  his  arbitrary  defigns.  -After  a  folemn  con- 
fultation,  the  laft  meafure  was  determined  upon, 
and  the  agents  quitted  England,"* 

1683*      SOON  after  a  writ  of  quo  warranto    was    iffued 

^^  againfl  the   colony,    which    Randolph    conveyed 

acrofs  the  Atlantic.     When  arrived  in  Bofton,  the 

general  court  once  more  confidered  the  critical  fit- 

*  Belknaf,  Vol.  I.  p.  229.     Hutch.  Collet,  of  Paj>e*st  p.  377, 


NEW-ENGLAND. 

nation  of  affairs.  The  governor  and  majority  of  1683 
the  affiftants,  actuated  by  the  caution  of  age,  re- 
folved  to  fubmit  to  the  royal  pleafure,  and  prepar- 
ed an  addrefs  for  that  purpofe.  The  reprefenta- 
lives,  animated  by  the  principles  natural  to  a  re* 
publican  body,  refuted  their  aflent.* 

THIS  year  a  writ  Q$ fcire  facias  was  prefented  in 
the  court  of  chancery  againfl  the  governor  and 
company,  and  judgment  given  that  the  charter 
fhould  be  annihilated.! 

JUDGE  Minot,  in  his  ingenious  continuation 3 £ 
Hutchinfon's  Hiftcry,  obferves  on  this  occafion^ 
<c  thus  fell  the  good  old  charter,  valuable  for  its 
defects  fo  happily  fupplied,  as  well  as  its  powers. 
But  with  it  fell  not  the  habits  it  had  engendered, 
nor  the  principles  which  the  fettlement  of  the 
country  had  infpired.  Thefe  were  for  a  time 
flightly  hidden  in  its  fall,  but  foon  fprung  up  again 
more  deeply  rooted,  and  renovated  with  perenni- 
al ftrength  ;  nor  have  they  ceafed  to  fiourifh  till, 
in  their  turn,  they  have  overrun,  and  probably 
forever  buried,  every  germ  of  defpotifin  and  royal 
authority,  in  this  republican  foil."f 

THE  other  colonies,  though  lefs  obnoxious, 
fliared  the  fame  fate.  This  year,  a  writ  of  quo  1685. 
ivarranto  was  iflued  againfl:  the  colony  of  Rhode- 
Ifland,  which  was  brought  in  June  26,  1686. 
The  affemWy  determined  not  to  ftand  fuit.  Their 
reafons  were,  their  poverty  and  inability  to  bear 
the  expence  of  fuch  a  lawfuit  in  England  ;  and 

*   Cttalmgr,  p.  414.      f  Hutcfrnfon,  Vol.  1.  p.  339, 
J  ffiinii  Cwti wution  of  Hutchinjun,  p.  52. 


*4*  HISTORY   O  F 

^685.  the   example  of  thofe  corporations  in   England, 
"^^  which  had  fur-rendered  their  charters.* 

IN  July  a  quo  warranfo  was  iifued  againft  the 
governor  and  company  of  Connecticut.  The  fub- 
fequerit  year  two  writs  weie  ferved  by  Mr.  Ran- 
dolph, and  after  them  a  third  in  December. 
1  58  6.  The  colony  received  an  offer  of  being  annexed  to 
v-"v"x-'  Maflachufetts  or  New-York.  In  return,  they  hum- 
bly petitioned  his  majefly  for  the  continuance  of 
their  chartered  rights  ;  but  if  this  could  not  be  ob- 
tained, they  expreffed  a  preference  to  being  an- 
nexed to  MaiTachufetts.  This  fubmiilive  language, 
(which,  contrary  to  their  intentions,  was  conilru- 
ed  into  a  furrender  of  their  charter)  probably 
prevented  the  quo  warranty's  being  profecuted  with 


KING  Charles  II.  died  foon  after  the  colony  of 
Mafia  chufetts  was  deprived  of  its  chaiter.  Upon 
the  accefiion  of  James  II.  Col.  Jofeph  Dudley,  a 
native  of  the  colony,  was  promoted,  becaufe  while 
ag^nt,  he  had  favored  the  views  of  the  court. 
He  was  appointed  prefide,nt  of  New-England,  and 
new  counfellors.  were  nominated  by  the  king. 
Their  jurifdictjon  extended  over  Maflachufetts, 
New-Hampfnire3  Maine,  and  the  Narragnnfet  or 
King's  country.  No  houfe  of  reprefentatives  was 
mentioned  in  this  commidion.  Dudley  was  re- 
ceived with  lefs  reluctance,  fiom  the  general  ap- 
prehenfion  of  Col.  Kirk,  as  governor,  who  had 
been  appointed  previoufly  to  the  death  of  Charles, 

*    C^ic-i.;er>  p.  47.      -|  Trutnbullt   /'*/.  /,  f>.  390. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  143 

and  from  whom  they  expected  fomething  fimilar  i6S6. 
to  the  tragedy  he  had  been  acting  in  the   weft   of 
England.* 

THE  people  fuffered  little  from  the  lofs  of  their 
privileges,  during  Col.  Dudley's  fhort  adminiflra- 
tion.  Their  courts  of  juftice  were  continued  upon 
their  former  plan.  Trials  were  by  juries  as  ufuaL 
In  general,  the-  former  laws  and  eflablifhed  cuf- 
toms  were  obferved,  though  the  government  which 
foimed  them  was  diffolved.  The  intention  of 
thefe  proceedings  was,  to  conciliate  the  minds  of 
the  people  to  the  long  meditated  introduction  of  a 
governor-generaLf 

AFTER  Col.  Dudley  had  enjoyed  his  new  hon- 
ors eight  or  nine  months.  Sir  Edmund  Andros, 
who  had  been  governor  of  New-York,  arrived  in 
Bofton,  with  a  large  commiffion,  appointing  him 
captain  general  and  governor  in  chief  of  Maria- 
chufetts,  Plymouth,  Rhode-Ifland,  Connecticut, 
&c.  The  governor,  with  four  of  his  council, 
were  empowered  to  grant  lands  on  fuch  terms, 
and  fubjec~l  to  fuch  quit-rents  as  mould  be  appoint- 
ed by  the  king. 

SIR  Edmund  Andros  began  his  adminiftration 
with  high  profeffions  of  regard  for  the  public  wel- 
fare. He  foon,  however,  exhibited  his  arbitrary 
character,  and  enriched  himfelf  and  his  followers 
by  the  mod  daring  violations  of  the  rights  of  the 
people.  Thofe  of  his  council,  who  were  backward 
in  -li.Jrng  his  rapacious  intentions,  were  neglected. 
*  Hutdbfou,  /V.  /./>.  241.  f  ttiJ,  t.  242 


144  HISTORY     OF 

Seven  being  fufficient  for  a  full  board,  he  fele&ed 
jfuch  only  as  were  devoted  to  him,  and  would  con- 
cur with  whatever  he  propofed.* 

1607.  THE  affembly  of  Conne&icut  met.  as  ufual  ifi 
O&ober,  and  the  government  continued  accord- 
ing to  charter  till  the  laft  of  the  month.  About 
this  time  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  with  his  fuit,  and 
more  than  fixty  regular  troops,  came  to  Hartford, 
where  the  aflembly  were  fitting,  demanded  the 
charter,  and  declared  the  government  under  it  to 
be  diflblved.  The  alTembly  were  extremely  un- 
willing to  furrender  the  charter,  and  found  expe- 
dients to  protract  the  time  for  bringing  it  forth. 
The  tradition  is,  that  governor  Treat  ftrongly  rep- 
refented  the  great  expence  and  hardfhips  of  the 
colonies  in  planting  the  country  ;  the  blood  and 
treafure  which  they  had  expended  in  defending  it  j 
the  difficulties  and  dangers  he  himfelf  had  been 
expofed  to  for  that  purpofe  ;  and  that  it  was  like 
giving  up  his  life  to  furrender  the  patent  and  priv- 
ileges fo  dearly  purchafed,  and  long  enjoyed*  The 
important  affair  was  debated  and  kept  in  fufpence 
till  the  evening,  when  the  charter  was  brought 
and  laid  upon  the  table,  where  the  aflembly  were 
fitting.  By  this  time  great  numbers  of  people 
were  affembled,  and  men  Efficiently  bold  to  exe- 
cute whatever  might  be  neceffary  or  expedient* 
The  lights  were  inftantly  extinguifhed,  and  one 
Capt.  Wadfworth,  of  Hartford,  in  the  mod  filent 
and  ftcret  manner,  carried  off  the  charter,  and 

*   Etlknap,  /V.  7,  f.  282. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  145 

fecreted  it  in  a  large  hollow  tree,    fronting  the  1687. 
houfe  of  the  hon.  Samuel  Wyllis,  then  one  of  the  v-<v^ 
magiftrates  of  the  colony.     The  people  appeared 
,  peaceable  and    orderly.     The    candles   were    offi* 
cloudy  relighted,  but  the  patent  was  gone,  and  no 
difcovery  could  be  made  of  it,  or  of  the   perfon 
who  had  conveyed  it  away. 

SIR  Edmund,  however,  affumed  the  govern- 
ment, and  appointed  officers,  civil  and  military, 
through  the  colony,  according  to  his  pleafure.* 

NUMEROUS  were  the  oppreffions  which  the  1688. 
country  fuffered,  diiring  Andros'  government. 
The  prefs  was  retrained  ;  liberty  of  confcience 
infringed  ;  exorbitant  fees  and  taxes  were  de- 
manded, without  the  voice  or  confent  of  the  peo- 
ple, who  had  no  privilege  of  reprefentation.  Thofe 
\vho  refufed  to  adift,  in  collecting  illegal  taxes, 
were  threatened  and  imprifoned.  The  charter  be- 
ing vacated,  it  was  pretended,  that  all  titles  to 
land  were  annulled.  Landholders  were  obliged 
to  take  out  patents  for  their  eftates,  which  they 
had  poilelTed  forty  or  fifty  years  ;  and  for  thefe 
patents  extravagant  fees  were  extorted,  and  thofe 
•who  would  not  fubmit  to  this  impofition,  had 
writs  of  intrufion  brought  againft  them,  and  their 
lands  patented  to  others.  To  deter  the  people 
from  confulting  about  the  redrefs  of  their  griev- 
ances, town-meetings  were  prohibited,  except  one 
in  the  month  of  May,  for  the  choice  of  town-offi- 
cers. The  people  were  told  by  the  judges  in  opea 

*  Trumbull,  Vol.  I.  p.  390. 
T 


146  H  I  3  T  CRY   O  f 

1688.  court,  that  they  had  no  more  privileges  left 
^^^  than  not  to  be  fold  for  flaves  ;  and  that  the  bene- 
fit  of  the  laws  of  England  did  not  follow  them  to 
the  end  of  the  earth.  To  prevent  complaints  be- 
ing tranfmitted  to  England,  no  perforr  was  per- 
mitted to  go  out  cf  the  country*  without  exprefs 
leave  from  the  governor.  But,  not'withfianding 
ail  the  vigilance  of  the  governor,  his  emiiTaries  and 
guards,  the  fefolute  and  indefatigable  Dr.  Increafe 
Mather,  minifter  of  the  feccnd  church  in  Boflon, 
and  prefident  of  the  college,  failed  to  England 
•with  complaints  in  the  name  of  the  people,  againfl 
the  governor,  which  he  delivered  with  his  cnvir 
hand  to  the  king  ;  but  finding  no  hope  of  redrefs, 
he  waited  the  event  of  the  revolution,  which  was 
then  expected.* 

2'689.  THE  country  fufFered  under  the  opprelTive  go*- 
*'-"y"N-'  ernment  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros  about  three  years. 
At  length,  the  report  cf  the  prince  of  Orange's 
expedition  into  England  reached  Bofton,  and  dif- 
fufed  univerfal  joy.  The  governor  took  every 
precaution  to  conceal  the  change  of  affairs  from 
the  people.'  He  imprisoned  the  man  who  brought 
a  copy  of  the  prince's  declaration,  and  publifhed 
a  proclamation,  commanding  all  perfbns  to  be  pre- 
pared to  oppoib  any  invafion  from  Holland.  The 
former  magiftrates  and  influential  charadeis  fecret* 
ly  wifhed,  and  fervenrly  prayed  for  the  fuccefs  of 
the  gloiious  undertaking,  and  determined  quietly 
to  wait  the  event.  The  body  of  the  people,  how- 

"<,/.  l.t  2.   Revolution  in  N£<W  Evlari 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  ,47 

ever,  were  too  impatient  to  be  retrained  by  pru-  1689. 
dential  confiderations.  A  rumor  was  fpread  of  an 
intended  mafTacre  in  Bofton,  by  the  governor's 
guards,  which  exafperated  them  in  the  bighefl  de- 
gree. On  the  morning  of  the  iSth  of  April,  the 
town  was  in  arms,  and  the  country  flocking  in  to 
their  affiflance,  Andros  and  a  number  of  his  ao 
complices,  who  had  fled  for  refuge  to  a  fort,  were 
obliged  to  furrender,  and  were  imprifoned  till 
they  could  be  conveyed  to  England,  to  be  difpof- 
f.d  of  according  to  the  king's  pkafure.*  Under 
pretence  of  the  charges  exhibited  againft  them  be* 
fpre  the  king  and  council  not  being  figned  by 
the  colonial  agents,  both  parties  were  difmiiTed, 
and  this  tyrant  of  New-England  was  afterwards 
appointed  governor  of  Virginia,! 

THE  gentlemen  who  had  been  magiftrates  un- 
der the  charter,  with  Bradflreet,  the  late  govern- 
or, at  their  head,  aflumed  the  name  of  the  coun- 
cil of  fafbty,  and  kept  up  a  form  of  government, 
in  the  exigency  of  affairs,  till  orders  arrived  from; 
England. 

THE  revolution  at  Boflon,  though  extremely 
pleafmg  to  the  people  of  New-Hampfhire,  left 
them  in  an  unfettltd  (late.  After  waiting  in  vain 
for  orders  from  England,  they  chofe  deputies,  in 
order  to  rcfolvc  upon  fomc  method  of  government. 
They,  at  length,  concluded  lo  return  to  their  an- 
cient union  with  MafTachufetts.]; 

*  !Lt  h:;:f-n.  Fat  I.  />  375,  374..  Mv/crn  UriTtrfzl  Hiacrrt- 
FaL  X^X.  /'.  ^14  i  M.'Ut}  v.  ^5  4;  fittknup,  Vol.  L  p*  Z^4t 


i4fc  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

1683.  THIS  union,  however,  was  of  fliort  continue 
ance.  In  1692,  Samuel  Allein,  a  London  mer- 
chant, obtained  a'commiilion  for  the  government 
of  New-Hampfhire  ;  and  John  Uiher,  his  ibn-in* 
law,  was  appointed  lieutenant-governor.  Mr.  Al- 
lein had,  previoufly,  purchaied  of  Mafon's  heirs 
a  title  to  the  New-Hampfliire  lands.  This  event 
produced  new  controverfies,  concerning  the  prop- 
erty of  the  lands,  which  embroiled  the  province 
feveral  years.* 

THE  intelligence  of  King  William  and  Queen 
Mary's  accefFion  to  the  throne,  occafioned  great 
rejoicing  in  New-England.  The  people  entertain- 
ed fanguine  expectations,  that  under  their  govern- 
ment, they  (hould  obtain  the  reftoration,  of  their 
former  invaluable  privileges. 

See  a  particular  account  of  tbefe  contro-verjies   in 
of  Ne-w> 


3ST  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D,  '  J49 


CHAPTER    XI. 

Of  the  war  with  the  eajlcrn  Indians.  Treaty  con* 
eluded  with  them  at  fort  Pemaquid.  The  New* 
England  agents  folk  it  the  reft  oration  of  their  char* 
ter.  A  new  charter  is  granted.  Connecticut 
and  Rhode-JJland  refame  their  former  charters. 
The  king  compliments  the  agents  with  the  nomina- 
tion of  their  governor.  They  elect  Sir  William 
Phips.  Thankfgi-ving  appointed  after  his  arrival 
in  Bojlon. 


P 


REVIOUSLY  to  the  revolution 
Jn  government,  which  was  related  in  the  forego*- 
ing  chapter,  a  freih  Indian  war  broke  out  in  the 
frontiers  of  New-England,  in  1688.  As  a  pre- 
tence for  commencing  hoiliiities,  the  Indians  charg. 
ed  the  Englifh  with  neglecting  to  pay  the  tribute 
of  corn,  which  had  been  ftipulated  by  the  treaty 
of  1678  ;  with  obftru&ing  the  fifh  in  Saco  river 
with  feines  ;  with  defrauding  them  in  trade,  and 
with  granting  their  lands  without  their  confent.* 

THE  French  ufed>  every  effort  to  inflame  their 
refentment,  in  order  to  revenge  the  recent  inju- 
ries they  had  received  from  the  Englifh. 

BY  the  treaty  of  Breda,  the  territory  from  Pe- 
nobfcot  to  Nova-Scotia  was  ceded  to  the  French, 
}n  exchange  for  the  iiland  of  St.  Chiiftbphers.  On 

*  Belknufr  ^'d.  L  p.  242. 


HISTORY     OF 

thefe  lands  the  baron  de  St.  Cafline  had  long  re- 
fided,  as  an  influential  fachein  among  the  Indians, 
with  whom  he  \vas  jntimately  cbnne&ed.  The 
grant  which  had  been  made  to  the  duke  of  York, 
who  at  the  time  of  the  above  mentioned  treaty 
was  called  James  II.  comprehended  all  the  land 
between  ^ennebec  and  St.  Croix.* 

UPON  a  difpute  arifmg  refpech'ng  the  landing 
^  of  a  cargo  of  wine,  which  the  owners  fuppofed  tQ 
be  landed  within  the  French  government,  a  new 
line  was  run,  which  took  Caftine's  plantation  into 
the  duke's  territory.  Upon  this  pretext,  Sir  EcU 
irmnd  Andros  went  in  the  Rofe  frigate,  and  plun- 
dered Caftine's  houfe  and  fort  of  all  his  goods 
and  implements  of  war.  This  infuit  provoked  the 
French  fachem  to  ufe  all  his  influence  with  the 
Indians  to  excite  them  to  ravage  the  frontiers  of 

New-England*! 

Trie  fir  ft  acts  of  hoflility  commenced  at  North- 
Yarmouth,  by  killing  cattle,  and  threatening  the 
people,  Juftice  Blackman  ordered  fixteen  of  the 
Indians  to  be  feized,  and  kept  under  guard  at 
Fal mouth  ;  but  others  continued  robbing  and  cap- 
tivattng  the  inhabitants.  Upon  this,  Andros, 
finding  milder  meafures  incfFechia],  meant  to  in- 
timid  ate  them  with  an  army  of  feven  -  hundrei 
men,  which  he  led  into  the  eaftern  country  in  the 
month  of  November.  The  rigor  of  the  leafori 
proved  fafal  to  foms  of  his  troops,  but  he  never 
fa\v  an  Indian  in  his  whole  march,  the  enemy  re« 
ir.airiing  quiet  during  the  winter. 

CofaXMs.-  /.  ^46.     f  6W/.>«»» /.  ^cS. 


tf  tttr-tf  NGt  AKD.  i5« 

AFTER  the   revolution,  the  gentlemen  who  af-  1689, 

the  government  took  fome  precaution  to 
prevent  the  renewal  of  hoiUIities.1  They  lent  rnef- 
fengers  and  prefents  fa  feveral  tribes  of  Indians, 
who  anfwered  them  with  fair  prornifes  ;  but  their 
prejudices  againft  the  Englifh  were  too  inveterate 
to  be  allayed  by  thefe  meafures.* 

THIRTEEN  years  had  almoft  elapfed  fince  the 
fcizure  of  the  four  hundred  Indians  at  Cache- 
co,  by  Major  IValdroa,  during  which  time  they 
had  cherifhed  an  inextinguifhablethirit  for  revenge. 
Some  cf  thofe  Indians,  who  were  then  fcized  and 
fold  into  flavery  abroad,  had  found  their  way 
home,  and  could  riot  reft  till  they  kid  gratified 
their  refentrnent, 

A  CONFEDERACY;  fof  this  purpofe,  was  form- 
ed  between  feveral  Indian  tribes  ;  and  it  was  de- 
termined to  furprize  the  Major  and  his  neighbors, 
among  whom  they  had  all  this  time  been  peacea- 
bly conver.fant.-t 

THERE  were  five  garrifcned  houfes  in  the  town 
of  Dover.  That  in  which  Major  Waldron  was 
lodged  was  furprized  by  the  treachery  of  Mefan- 
doit,  a  fagamore,  whom  he  had  that  night  enter- 
tained in  a  friendly  manner  at  his  houfe.  During 
the  night  the  Indians  lay  in  ambufh  in  the  neigh- 
boring woods.  When  all  was  quiet  the  gates 
were  opened,  and  the  fignal  given.  They  enter* 
ed,  furprized  the  fecure  garrifon,  and  barbaroufiy 
murdered  the  Major.  Twenty-three  people  were 
*L  I  f.  244. 


j5s  HISTORY    OF 

1689.  killed  in  this  furprizal,  and  twenty-nine  were  cap- 
^^^  tured  ;  five  or  fix  houfes,  with  their  mills,  were 
burned,  and  before  the  people  could  be  collect- 
ed from  the  other  parts  of  the  town  to  oppofe 
them,  they  fled  with  their  prifoners  and  plunder. 
The  majority  of  the  prifoners  were  carried  to 
Canada,  and  fold  to  the  French.* 

THE  neceflity  of  rigorous  meafures,  impelled 
the  colonies  to  raife  forces  to  check  the  depre- 
dations of  their  favage  enemies.  The  MaiTachu- 
fetts  arid  Plymouth  forces  proceeded  to  the  eaft-* 
ward,  fettled  garrifons  at  convenient  places,  and 
had  fome  fldrmifhes  with  the  natives  at  Cafco* 
Bay  and  Blue-Point.  The  Indians  did  much  mif- 
chief  by  their  flying  parties,  but  no  important 
actions  were  performed  on  either  iide  during  the 
remainder  of  the  year. 

1690.  THE  graateft  danger  was  at  this  time  appre- 
tended  from  encouragement  given  to  the  Indians 
by  the  French,  which  nation  was  then  at  war  with 
England.  The  inhabitants  of  New-Enrrland  were 

O  v_> 

thence  induced  to 'plan  an  enterprise  agakift  Cana- 
da, where  the  French  had  formed  extenfive  fet- 
tlements.  They  exerted  themfelves  to  the  uttnoft, 
and  equipped  an  armament  in  fome  degree  equal 
to  the  fervice.f 

THE  command  of  the  forces  employed  in  this 
expedition  was  committed  to   Sir  William  Phips. 
Unavoidable  accidents  retarded  the  arrival  of   the 
fleet  at  Quebec  till  the  feafon  was  too  far  ad  vane* 
*  &&tapt  lrd.  L  p.  245.     f  Ibid,  p.  248. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  153 

ed  to  profecute  their  defigns.  The  troops  were  1690. 
lickly  and  difcouraged,  and,  after  forne  ineffectual  ^^ 
parade,  the  enterprize  was  abandoned.* 

THE  inhabitants  of  New-England  were  greatly 
difpirited  by  this  difappointment.  The  equipment 
of  the  fleet  and  army  had  occafioned  a  great  ex- 
pence,  which  they  were  little  able  to  ftipport ;  and 
a  thoufand  men  perifhed  in  the  expedition.  In  this 
melancholy  (late  of  the  country,  it  was  an  happy 
circumftance  that  the  Indians  voluntarily  came  in 
with  a  flag  of  truce,  and  defired  a  ceflation  of  hof- 
tilities.  A  conference  being  held  at  Sagadahok, 
they  brought  in  ten  captives,  and  fettled  a  truce 
till  the  id  of  May,  which  they  obferved  till  the  1691* 
9th  of  June ;  then,  they  again  commenced,  and  v-0>*v' 
continued  their  deftructive  ravages,  during  this  and 
the  fubfequent  year.f 

Iisr  January,  the  Indians  entirely  deftroyed  the  1692. 
town  of  York,  killed  fifty  of  the  people,  and  car-  ^^^ 
ried  one  hundred  into  captivity.     To  review  the 
cruel  treatment  they  inflicted  on  their   unfortunate 
prifoners,  mud  deeply  wound  the  feelings  of  eve- 
ry perfon  of  fenfibility  ;  and  they  mud    turn    with 
horror  from  a  fcene,  which  fo  ftrongly  exhibits  the 
favage  ferocity  of  which  human  nature  is  capable. 

THIS  year  a  peace  was  concluded    with  the  In-  1693. 
dians  at  the  fort  of  Pemaquid.    They  acknowledg-  ^"^ 
ed  fubjedHon  to  the  crown   of  England ;  engaged 
to  abandon  the  French  intereft  j  to  forbear  private 
revenge  ;  to  reftoie  all  captives ;  and   even  went 

*   tiutibinjan,  Vul.  /,  p.  400,  401.     f  J3t/inaft  Pot.   1.  j>. 


i  S4  HISTORY     OF 

fo  far  as  to  deliver  hoftages  for  the  due  perform* 
ance  of  their  engagements.* 

1691.  AFTER  the  revolution  in  England,  the  general 
court  of  MafTachufetts  difpatched  two  of  their  mem- 
bers, to  join  with  Sir  Henry  Afthurft  and  Mr. 
Mather,  in  foliciting  the  refloratiou  of  their  an- 
cient charter  ;  and  endeavouring  to  obtain  fuch 
additional  privileges,  as  might  be  beneficial  to 'the 
colony. 

WHILST  the  colony  was  involved  in  the  Indian 
•war,  which  has  been  briefly  related,  their  enemies 
in  England  took  advantage  of  their  difficulties, 
by  imputing  them  to  the  imprudent  adminiilration 
of  government,  and  argued  thence  again/I  the  ref- 
loration  of  their  charter.  The  agents,  however, 
purfued  their  bufineis  with  indefatigable  applica- 
tion, and  ufed  all  their  intereil  in  court  and  city  to 
accomplish  it  ;  but  found  all  their  endeavours  to 
obtain  a  refloration  of  their  ancient  charter  inef-, 

feftuaLt 

THE  king,  from  the  firrt  applica>ion?  exhibited 
a  determined  refolution  to  have  the  nomination  of 
the  governor,  and  other  officers,  referveJ  to  the 
crown.  He  ordered  his  attorney-general  to  form 
the  draught  of  a  new  charter,  according  to  his 
pleafure  exprefled  in  council.  This  the  attorney- 
general  preferred  to  the  council  board  June  8. 
It  was  rejected,  and  a  new  draught  ordered  to  be 
made,  by  which  the  people  of  New-England  were 
deprived  of  ieveral  eilentiai  privileges  contained  in 
their  former  charter.  J 

*  Sullivan,  p.   241.  f  Hitttbiry'bn,  Vol.  I.  p.  40  c.      1  r.."»r/>;r 
took  II.  p.  56. 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  155 

MR.  Mather  protefted  againfl  it,  but  was  in-  1691, 
formed,  "  that  the  agents  of  New-England  were 
not  plenipotentiaries  from  a  fovereiga  date."  Not- 
withftanding  this  reprimand,  the  agents  drew  up 
their  objections,  and  tranfmitted  them  to  the  king, 
earneftly  requefting  that  certain  claules  might  be 
altered.  The  queen  herfelf  interceded  with  him 
in  behalf  of  the  colony ;  but  nothing  could  alter 
his  majefty's  determined  purpofe.  The  agents  fuc- 
ceeded  only  in  procuring  a  few  articles  to  be  add- 
ed, which  they  fuppofed  \youid  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  their  country.* 

THE  colony  of  Maffachufetts  was  made  a  prov- 
ince, which  contained  the  whole  of  the  old  colony. 
To  this  were  added  the  colony  of  New-Plymouth, 
the  Province  of  Maine,  the  Province  of  Nova-Sco- 
tia, and  all  the  country  between  the  Province  of 
Maine  and  Nova-Scotia,  as  far  northward  as  the 
river  St.  Lawrence  ;  alfo  Elizabeth  Iflands,  and 
the  iflands  of  Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard. 

THE  colonies  of  Rhode-Iiland  and  Connecticut 
were  allowed  to  refume  their'  former  charters.  As 
no  judgment  had  been  entered  againft  them,  the 
king  recognized  their  policy  as  regular  and  legal.f 
THE  colony  of  MaiTachufetts  was  greatly  difap- 
pointed  by  the  new  charter,  and  it  was  confidered 
as  a  fmgular  hardfliip,  that  the  effects  of  the  late 
defpotifm  fhould  be  felt  by  them  alone.  Howev- 
er, the  majority  were  induced  to  accept  it,  from 
an  apprehenfion  of  the  ill  confequences,  which 
might  refult  from  their  refufal.J 

,  &3*  1L  p.  56.     f  Gordon,  Vol.  7.  /.  95.  J  AV«A 


i $6  HISTORY   OF 

1692.  WHEN  the  charter  had  palled  the  feals,  the 
king  was  pleafed  to  compliment  the  New-England 
agents,  for  the  fir  ft  time,  with  the  nomination  of 
their  governor.  After  mature  confutation,  they 
agreed  to  elect  Sir  William  Phips,  who,  with  the 
Rev.  Increafe  Mather,  arrived  in  Bofton  the  I5th 
of  May.  The  general  court  appointed  a  day  of 
folemn  thankfgiving  for  their  fafe  arrival ;  and  for 
the  fettlement  of  the  province.* 

THE  civil  government  of  New-England  fuilaiyi- 
ed  a  confiderable  alteration  by  their  new  charter. 
Previously  to  their  obtaining  it,  all  their  magif- 
trates  and  officers  of  Hate  were  chofen  annually  by 
their  general  aflembly.  In  the  new  charter,  the 
appointment  of  the  governor,  lieutenant-governor, 
fecretary,  and  all  the  officers  of  the  admiralty, 
was  veiled  in  the  crown  ;  the  power  of  the  mili- 
tia was  wholly  in  the  hands  of  his  majefty's  gover- 
nor, as  captain  general.  All  judges,  juftices  and 
fheriffs,  were  to  be  nominated  by  the  governor, 
with  the  advice  of  the  council.  The  governor 
had  a  negative  upon  the  choice  of  counfellors  ; 
and  upon  all  laws  and  elections  made  by  the  coun- 
cil and  houfe  of  representatives.  The  laws,  even 
when  thus  fanctioned,  were  fubject  to  rejection  by 
the  king,  within  the  term  of  three  years  from 
their  pairing.  The  difference  between  the  old 
charter  and  new  alfo  confided  in  an  exprefs  autho- 
rity for  exercifing  powers,  which  had  been  in  con- 
Jhnt  ufe,  from  fuppofed  ncceffary  implication, 
*  Matbtr. 


NE  W-ENG  L  AND.  157 

Thefe  were  the  privilege  of  a  lioufe  of  reprefenr  1692. 
tatives  as  a  branch  of  the  legiilature,  the  levying  of 
taxes,  and  erecting  courts  for  the  trial  of  capital 
crimes,  and  the  probate  of  wills,  and  granting  of 
adminiitrations  on  inteftate  eftates,  which  were  ex- 
prefsly  given  to  the  governor  and  council.* 

LIBERTY  of  confcience,  which  was  not  men- 
tioned in  the  firft  charter,  was  exprefsly  granted 
in  the  fecond.  All  the  various  denominations  of 
Chriirians  were  tolerated  in  the  colonies  after  the 
revolution  took  place  in  England.  And  the  peo- 
ple were  Informed  by  the  bed  civilians,  that  their 
religious  liberties  were  unalterably  fecured. 

THE  firft  aft  of  the  Maflachufetts  legiflature, 
after  the  arrival  of  the  charter,  was  a  kind  of  mag- 
na  charta,  afferting  and  fetting  forth  their  general 
privileges,  and  contained  the  following  elaufe  : 
<c  No  aid,  tax,  tollage,  aiTefTment,  ctiftom,  loan, 
benevolence,  or  impofition  whatfoever,  (hall  be  laid, 
aifeifedj  impofed,  or  leveled'on  any  of  his  majefly's 
fubjecls,  or  their  eftates,  on  any  pretence  what- 
ever, but  by  the  aft  and  confent  of  the  governor, 
council  and  reprefentatives  of  the  people^  affeiu- 
bled  in  general  court.""! 

OTHER  acls  favorable  to  liberty,  were  pafled 
by  the  general  court,  at  this  fefTion, 

AT  the  time  when  the  colony  of  Maflachufetts 
received  the  new  charter,  feventy-two  years  had 
ehpfed  iince  the  firft  fettlement  at  Plymouth. 

*  See  Charter  of  William  and  Mary,  in  Appendix  to  j\Wj  Hif- 
iory.      Ivlinofs  Continuation  gf  Hutthinfon,   P.   C7, 
f  Kutcki*J9H,  Pol.  11.}.  63. 


HISTORY     OF 

1692.  During  this  period  the  colonies  enjoyed  the  privi- 
lege  of  chafing  their  own  rulers,  and  enading 
their  own  laws.  They  had  effcablifhed  excellent 
regulations  for  the  promotion  of  learning  and  reli- 
gion. They  had  exhibited  great  courage  in  the 
Indian  wars,  and  their  efforts  to  repel  their  favage 
enemies  were  crowned  with  fuccefs.  "  After 
forty  years  from  the  firft  fettlement,  the  greateft 
part  of  the  early  emigrants  had  terminated  their 
earthly  exiftence."*  They  had,  however,  the  fatis* 
faction  of  furviving  till  they  beheld  the  fruits  of 
their  afliduous  labors  in  the  increafe  of  the  fettle* 
ments  and  multiplication  of  the  churches.  "  Ir$ 
1643,  the  firft  twenty  thoufand  fouls,  who  came 
over  from  England,  had  fettled  thirty-fix  churches,- 
In  1650,  there  were  forty  churches  in  New- 
England,  which  contained  feven,  thoufaiul  feven 
hundred  and  fifty  communicants."!  Many  of  the 
clergymen,  who  came  from  England  at  the  firtl 
fettlement,  were  not  only  diftinguifhed  for  their 
piety,  but  for  their  abilities  and  learning.  Among 
whom  we  view  a  Cotton,  Hooker,  Davenport,  EIioft 
and  others,  who  illuminated  the  churches  of  New- 
England.  And  though  many  have  depreciated  the 
merit  of  our  anceftors,  yet  a  modern  Britifh  au- 
thor has  obferved,  that,  "  The  victories  they  ob- 
tained over  the  complicated  obftrudions  which 
they  met  with  upon  their  arrival  in  America,  have 
raifed  their  character  to  a  level  with  that  of  the 


Hu/flnnfon,  Vol.  I  p.  2  $8.      +  LaU  PrtpMnt  StiUs  Mentf 
Le&uns  en  EcdefitiJiUtt 


NE  W-ENGL  AND.  159 

braved  people  recorded  in  hillory,  in  the  eflima- 
tion  of  the  few,  who  can  coniider  facts  divefted  of 
that  fplendor  which  time,  place  and  circuinftances 
are  apt  tobeftow  upon  them,  and  from  which  they 
derive  their  luftre  with  the  generality  of  man* 
kind."* 

*  Andrew^  Hifary  of  the  War  with  America. 


HISTORYOF 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Of  the  fuppofed  witchcraft*  in  New-England.  Sir 
William  Phips  recalled.  His  death  and  char- 
acter. War  with  the  Indians  renewed.  The 
French  project  an  invafion  of  New- England. 
Peace  concluded  with  the  Indians.  ^Tbe  Earl 
cf  Edlamont  appointed  governor  of  the  plantations 
ofNeiv-Tcrk,  MaJJluhufctts  and  New-HampJhire. 


EW-ENGLAND  from  Its  firft  feN 
tlement  never  experienced  fuch  complicated  dif- 
ficulties as  at  the  commencement  of  Sir  William 
Phips'  government,  The  country  was  involved 
in  the  war  with  the  eaflern  Indians,  which  has  been 
briefly  mentioned  in  the  preceding  chapter.  In 
1692.  the  fame  period  a  new  fpecies  of  diilrefs  filled  the 
minds  of  the  people  with  gloom  and  horror,  which 
in  fome  refpe&s  appeared  more  replete  with  ca- 
lamity, than  even  the  devaluations  of  war. 

PREVIOUSLY  to  the  tragic  fcene  at  Salem,  about 
to  be  r  slated,  fever al  perfons,  in  different  parts 
cf  New-England,  had  been  executed  for  the  fup* 
pofed  crime  of  witchcraft.  Thofe,  who  think  the 
\vhole  to  be  an  impoflure,  account  for  it  by  the 
prevailing  credulity  of  the  age  ;  the  flrength  of 
prejudice  ;  the  force  of  imagination,  operating  on 
minds  not  fufEciently  enlightened  by^  reafon  and 
philofophy,  which  all  confpired  to  produce  this 
fatal  dciuiion. 


NEW-ENGLAND. 

IN  the  year  1692,  a  daughter  and  niece  of  Mr. 
Parris,  miriifter  of  Salem,  girls  of  ten  or  eleven 
years  of  age,  and  two  other  girls  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, were  feized  with  uncommon  and  unac- 
countable complaints.  A  confutation  of  phy- 
ficians  was  called,  one  of  whom  was  of  opinion 
that  they  were  bewitched.  An  Indian  'woman, 
who  was  brought  from  New-Spain,  and  then  refid- 
ed  with  Mr.  Parris,  had  recourfe  to  fome  experi- 
ments, which  fhe  pretended  were  ufed  in  her  own 
country,  in  order  to  difcover  the  witch.  The 
children,  being  informed  of  this  circumftance, 
accufed  the  Indian  woman  of  pinching,  pricking 
and  tormenting  them  in  various  ways.  She  ac- 
knowledged that  fhe  had  learnt  how  to  difcover  a 
witch,  but  denied  herfelf  to  be  one.  This  firfl  in- 
flance  was  the  occafion  of  feveral  private  fads  at 
Mr.. Parris'  houfe,  of  feveral  others,  which  were 
obferved  by  the  whole  village,  and  of  a  general  fad 
through  the  colony.  The  attention,  paid  to  the 
children,  with  the  companion,  expreffed  by  their 
vifitors,  it  is  fuppofed,  induced  them,  and  allured 
others  to  continue  their  impofture.  Hence  the 
number  of  complainants,  who  pretended  to  be 
feized  with  firnilar  diforders,  increaled,  and  they 
accufed  certain  perfons  of  being  the  authors  of 
their  fufferings.  From  thefe  fmall  beginnings,  the 
diftemper  fpread  through  feveral  parts  of  the  pro- 
vince, till  the  prifons  were  fcarcely  capable  of  con- 
taining the  number  of  the  accufed.* 

*   Hutchin/oK,  VoL  II.  p.  25  —  29.     HaiSi  Mftkfl  Ittevirj  Into 

ice  Nature  3 f  tt'itchiraft^  p.  22. 

w 


162  HISTORY    OF 

1692,  THE  molt  effectual  method  to  prevent  an  accu- 
fation  was,  to  become  an  accufer  ;  hence  the 
number  of  the  afflicted  continually  augmented, 
and  the  number  of  the  accufed  increafed  in  the 
fame  proportion* 

THE  accufed  in  general  peril  (led  in  averting 
their  innocence.  Some,  however,  were  induced 
to  confefs  their  guilt,  being  warmly  importuned 
by  their  friends  to  embrace  this  expedient,  as  the 
only  poffible  way  to  fave  their  lives.  The  con- 
feflion  of  witchcraft  increafed  the  number  of  the 
fufpecled ;  for  aiibciates  were  always  pretended 
by  the  party  confe fling.  Thefe  pretended  a(To- 
ciates  were  immediately  fent  for  and  examined. 
By  thefe  means,  more  than  an  hundred  women, 
many  of  them  of  fair  characters,  and  of  the  molt 
refpectable  families  in  Salem,  Beverly,  Andover, 
Billerica,  and  in  other  towns,  were  apprehended, 
examined,  and  generally  committed  to  prifon.* 

THOUGH  the  number  of  prifoners  had  been 
augmenting,  from  February  to  June,  yet  none  of 
them  had  as  yet  been  brought  to  trial.  Soon  af- 
ter the  arrival  'of  the  charter,  commiflioners  of  oyer 
and  termmcr  were  appointed  for  this  purpofe*  At 
the  firft  trial,  there  was  no  colony,  nor  provincial 
law  in  force  againil  witchcraft.  The  ftatute  of 
James  I.  mud  therefore  have  been  eonfidered 
as  in  force,  in  the  province,  witchcraft  not  being 
an  offence  at  common  law.  Before  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  general  court,  the  old  colony  lav/, 

*  Hutcbinjon,  Vd.  12.  /.  30.     H*k>  p.  26. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  163 

which  makes  witchcraft  a  capital  offence,  was 
received  and  adopted  by  the  whole  province. 

IN  this  diftreffing  period,  nineteen  perfons  were 
executed,  one  prefl  to  death,  and  eight  more  con- 
demned ;  the  whole  number  amounted  to  twenty, 
eight,  of  whom  above  a  third  part  were  members 
of  feme  of  the  churches  in  New-England,  and 
more  than  half  fuflained  excellent  characters. 
Among  thofe,  who  were  executed,  was  Mr.  Bur- 
roughs, formerly  minuter  at  Salem,  who  left  his 
people  upon  fome  difference  in  religious  fenti- 
ments.  All  who  fuiFered  death  afferted  their  inno- 
cence in  the  flrongefl  terms.  Yet  this  circum- 
ftance  was  inefficient  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  peo- 
ple ;  and  their  fury  augmented  in  proportion  as 
the  gloom  of  imagination  increafed,* 

INSTEAD  of  acting  with  that  deliberate  cool- 
nefs  and  caution,  which  the  importance  of  the 
affair  demanded,  and  fufpe&ing  and  crofs  exam- 
ining the  witneffes,  by  whofe  evidence  the  pretend* 
ed  witches  were  condemned  ;  the  authority  made 
ufe  of  leading  queftions,  which  helped  them  to 
anfwers.  Moil  of  the  examinations,  though  in 
the  prefence  of  one  or  more  of  the  magiftrates, 
were  taken  by  Mr.  Parris.  The  court  allowed 
the  witnefTes  to  relate  accidents,  which  had  be- 
fallen them  twenty  or  thirty  years  paft,  upon  fome 
difference  with  the  accufed.j 

*  Ses  Dr.  Co t ton  Mather  s  Wonders  of  the  Invifibk  World. 
f  Nsal,  Vol.  II.  p.  129 ;  and  Calef't  Mare  Wondtn  of  the  /«• 
.  185. 


164  HISTORY    OF 

1692.  THE  affairs  of  MaiTachufetts  were  now  In  fuch  a 
wretched  fituation,  that  no  man  was  ftire  of  his 
life  and  fortune  for  an  hour.  An  univerfal  con* 
fternation  prevailed.  Some  charged  themfelves 
\vith  witchcraft,  in  order  to  prevent  accufation, 
and  efcape  death  ;  fome  abandoned  the  province, 
and  others  were  preparing  to  follow  their  exam- 
pie,* 

IN  this  fcene  of  perplexity  and  diflrefs,  thofe, 
who  Were  accufed  of  witchcraft,  were  generally  of 
the  lowed  order  in  fociety.  A  number,  however, 
of  refpeclable  women  flill  remained  in  prifon  :  at 
length  the  pretended  fufferers  had  the  audacity  to 
accufe  feveral  perfons  of  fuperior  rank  and  char- 
acter. The  authority  then  began  to  be  lefs 
credulous.  The  prifoners  were  liberated  ;  thofe, 
\vho  had  received  fentence  of  death,  were  repriev- 
ed, and  afterwards  pardoned.  The  whole  coun- 
try became  by  degrees  fenfible  of  their  mi  (lake  ; 
and  the  majority  of  the  aclors  in  this  tragedy  de? 
clared  their  repentance  for  their  conduct. 

16.  WHILST  a  review  of  the  conduct  of  the  inhabit- 
ants  of  New-England  in  this  diftrefTmg  period  in- 
duces us  to  accufe  then}  of  credulity  and  fuperfti- 
tion,  \ye  ought  to  fcften  the  afperity  of  our  cen- 
fure  by  remembering,  that,  fuppofing  the  whole  to 
have  been  an  impollure,  they  were  led  into  this 
delufion  by  the  opinion  of  the  greatefi  civilians  and 
divines  in  Europe.  A  fimilar  opinion  refpecting 
witchcraft  was  at  the  fame  time  prevalent  in  Great- 
*  Hah,  /.  33.  Cab/. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  165 

Britain  ;  the  law,  by  which  witches  were  condemn-  1693. 
ed,  was  copied  from  the   Englifh  ftatutes,  and  the  w%~"-' 
practice  of  courts  in  New-England,  was  regulated 
by  precedents  eftablifhed   in  the  parent  country. 
Thcfe  ftatutes  continued  in  force  in  England  ibine 
time  in  the  reign  of  George  II.  when  it  was  enact- 
ed, "  That  no  profecution  fhould  in  future  be  car- 
ried on  againil  any  perfon  for  conjuration,  witch- 
craft, forcery,  or  enchantment/'* 

No  public  notice  was  taken  of  the  authors  of 
this  calamity  ;  fome  of  the  fuppofed  fufferers  be- 
came profligate  characters;  others  palled  their 
days  in  obfcurity  and  contempt.  Mr.  Parris,  in 
whofe  houfe  the  pretended  witchcraft  began,  felt 
the  efFecls  of  popular  refentment.  Though  he 
made  a  public  and  private  penitent  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  error,  his  congregation  iniifted  upon 
his  difmililon,  declaring  that  they  never  would  fit 
under  the  miniflry  of  a  man,  who  had  been  the  in- 
ftrument  of  fuch  complicated  diftrefs.f 

THUS,  in  about  fifteen  months,  ended  an  affair, 
which  not  only  confounded  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple of  New-England,  but  filled  Europe  with  aflon- 
ifliment  and  horror. 

THE  treaty,  which  was  concluded  with  the  In-  1694. 
dians  at  fort  Pemaquid,  had,  for  almofl  a  twelve- 
month,  relieved  the  frontiers  from  the  calamities  of 
war.  Whilft  the  peace  continued,  Sir  William, 
Phips  exerted  himfelf  to  the  utmoft  to  detach 
them  from  the  French  interefl.  For  this  purpofe 

*    HurcfaSon,  Ir«l.  11.      Ca!f.fy  f,    is?, 
t  Bladjione,  TV.  IF,  f,  £i. 


1 66  HISTORY   OF 

1694.  he  took  a  journey  to  the  eaftward  ;  prefented  gifts 
to  their  fachems  ;  opened  a  free  trade  with  them  ; 
and  offered  to  leave  a  preacher,  acquainted  with 
the  Indian  language,  to  inftrud  them  in  the  Pro- 
zeftant  religion. 

ON  the  other  hand;,  the  French  labored  more  fuc- 
cefsfully  to  prejudice  their  minds  againft  the  Eng- 
}iih.  This  year  the  Sieur  de  Villien  was  in  com- 
mand  at  Penobfcot,  and  with  the  afliftance  of  Thu- 
ry,  the  religious  miflionary,  perfuaded  the  eaflern 
fachems  to  break  their  treaty,  and  to  prepare  for 
hoftilities.* 

WHILST  the  war  with  the  Indi?.ns  was  im- 
pending, the  people  became  diffatit-fied  with 
Sir  William  Phips'  government,  and  afcribed 
the  calamities  they  fuffered  to  his  mifconducl. 
The  uneafmefs  arofe  to  fuch  a  degree,  that 
his  enemies  drew  up  articles  of  impeachment 
againft  him,  which  they  tranfmitted  to  the  king 
and  council.  His  Majefty  declared  he  would  him- 
felf  hear  his  caufe  ;  and  cited  Sir  William  and  his 
accufers  to  repair  to  Whitehall.  He  embarked 
for  England,  November  17,  having  obtained  a 
recommendation  from  the  general  affembly. 
Previoufly  to  the  hearing  of  his  caufe,  he  was  fud- 
denly  feizcJ  with  a  malignant  fever,  which  put  a 
period  to  his  life,  in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of  his 
age.f 

SIR  William  Phips  was  born  of  poor  and  ob- 
fcure  parents  in  the  eaflern  parts  of  New-England. 

*  Mather t  Look  II.  p.  66.      f  Ibid,  p.-ji. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  167 

His  education  furniflied  him  with  few  advantages  1694. 
for  improvement.  His  firlt  employment  was  keep- 
ing  fheep  ;  he  was  afterwards  a  fhip  carpenter j 
but  he  gave  up  his  trade,  and  followed  the  feas. 
After  feveral  fmall  adventures,  he  amaifed  a  cou- 
fiderable  fortune,  by  finding  a  Spanifh  wreck  near 
Port  de  la  Plata.  This  event  introduced  him  to 
men  of  rank  and  fortune  ;  and  h£  had  the  dignity 
of  knighthood  conferred  upon  him  by  king  James 
II.  Notwithftanding  this,  he  uniformly  oppofed 
the  arbitrary  meafures  of  that  monarch  ;  and  was 
an  ardent  friend  to  the  revolution.  Though  un- 
verfed  in  the  arcs  of  government,  and  deftitute  of 
deep  penetration,  yet  he  was  a  man  of  great  induf- 
try,  enterprise  and  firmnefs.  He  conflantly  at- 
tended the  exercifes  of  devotion  ;  and  was  ftudious 
to  promote  piety  and  virtue  in  others.1* 

AFTER  Sir  William  Phips  left  the  province, 
the  authority  devolved  upon  lieutenant-governor 
Stoughton.  Previoufly  to  his  entering  on  his 
adminiflration,  the  country  was  again  involved  in 
the  calamities  of  war.  The  French  had  recently 
fupplied  the  Indians  with  a  variety  of  warlike 
fiores.  At  length,  the  necerTary  preparations  be- 
ing made,  Villien,  with  a  body  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  Indians,  colle&ed  from  the  tribes  of  St. 
John,  Penobfcot  and  Norridgwog,  marched  againit 
the  people  on  Oyfter  River,  in  New-Hampfhire. 
Here  they  killed  and  captured  between  ninety 
*  Uatber>  Bsok  11.  p.  68.  Life  of  Sir  Willliam 


HISTORY    OF 

1694.  and  an  hundred  peifons,  and  burned  above  twenty 
'w*VNj  houfes,  of  Vv'hich  five  weie  garrifons.* 

DURING  the  remainder  of  this,  and  the  fubfe- 
quent  winter,  the  Indians  continued  to  ravage  the 
frontiers.  In  1696,  they,  in  conjunction  with 
the  French,  took  and  demolifhed  Pemaquid  fort ; 
and,  exulting  in  their  fuccefs,  threatened  to  in- 
volve the  country  in  ruin  and  defolation.f 
1697.  THIS  year  an  invafion  of  the  country  was  pro- 
jecled  by  the  French.  A  fleet  was  to  fail  from, 
France  to  Newfoundland,  and  thence  to  Penob- 
icot,  where,  being  joined  by  an  army  from  Canada, 
an  attempt  was  to  be  made  on  Bodon,  and  the 
fea  coafl  ravaged  from  there  to  Pifcataqua.  The 
fleet  proceeded  no  further  than  Newfoundland, 
when  the  advanced  feafon,  and  fcantinefs  of  pro- 
vifion,  obliged  them  to  relinquifh  the  deiign.  The 
people  of  New -England  were  apprized  of  the  dan- 
ger, and  made  the  bed  poffible  preparations  to 
avert  the  impending  evil.  They  flrengthened  their 
fortifications  on  the  coaft,  and  raifed  a  body  of 
men  to  defend  the  frontiers  againft  the  Indians, 
•who  were  expected  to  co-operate  with  the  French.  I 
.  AITF*  the  peace  at  Ryfwick,  between  England 
*  and  France,  Count  FroRtenae*  governor  of  Canada, 
.Informed  the  Indians,  that  he  wras  no  longer  at 
liberty  to  fupport  them  in  their  wars  againfl  the 
Engliih,  with  whom  his  nation  was  now  at  peace. 
He  therefore  advifed  them  to  bury  the  hatchet, 

*  Hutcb\nhn>  Vol.  11.  p    8z.     Bf/knap.  Vol.   L  p.  375, 
•f  SttMeJcrnUm'verfalHiflory    J'jl,  XiX,   p    «'4C. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  169 

and  reflore  their  captives.     Having  fuffered  much  1693. 
by  famine,    and  being  divided  in    their  opinion 
refpefting  the   profecution  of  the  war,  they  'were 
at  length  brought  to  a  treaty  at  Cafco,  where  they  1699. 
ratified  their    former  engagements ;  and  acknow- 
ledged  fubjection  to  the  crown  of  England.* 

WHEN  the  war  in  Europe  was  terminated,  the 
king  appointed  the  earl  of  Bellamont  governor  of 
New-York,  Maffachufetts  and  New-Hampfhire, 
and  the  earl  made  New-York  the  place  of  his  re- 
fidence.  Mr.  Stoughton,  the  lieutenant-governor,  , 
conducted  the  affairs  of  New-England. 

THUS,  after  a  long  and  expenfive  war,  attended 
with  the  moft  alarming  internal  divifions,  the  af- 
fairs of  the  country  were  fettled  on  a  folid  bafis. 
Trade  began  to  flourifh,  and  peace  and  plenty 
again  blefled  the  New-England  fettlements. 

*  Mather,  BwkVU.^  92.     Belknap,  Vol.  L  p.  281. 


X 


HISTORY   OF 


CHAPTER    Xiil. 

Lord  B  diamonds  arrival  in  B  oft  on.     His 

and  behavior.  His  death  at  New -York.  Mr. 
Dudley  appointed  governor.  War  with  the  French 
and  Indians  renewed.  The  reduElion  of  Port- 
Royal.  Ifnfuccep.ful  expedition  agalnjl  Canada. 
Peace  concluded  with  the  French  and  their  Indian 
allies.  New  townjbips  incorporated  in  Majja- 
chufctts.  Flouriftringjiatc  of  the  colonies. 


L 


|ORD  Bellamont  arrived  in  Bolt  on, 
1699.  from  New- York,  May  26  ;  to  fee  a  nobleman  at 
the  head  of  government  was  a  novelty  to  the  inhab- 
itants of  New-England.  tie  was  a  firm  friend  to 
the  revolution,  and  a  favorite  of  king  William. 
His  religious  fentiments  were  liberal ;  and  though 
a  member  of  the  church  of  England,  he  attended 
the  congregational  leclures  with  great  refpect* 
The  politenefs  of  his  manners,  and  affability  of 
hrs  behavior,  conciliated  the  minds  of  the  people., 
who  trerted  him  with  the  istmoft  deference.  There 
was  a  perfect  harmony  in  the  general  court  \vhilft 
he  prefided.  By  avoiding  offence  to  particular 
perfons,  and  conforming  to  the  prevailing  difpo- 
fition  and  opinion,  he  obtained  a  larger  falary 
than  either  of  his  predeceffors,  or  any  of  the  fub* 
feouent  governors  of  the  province* 


NEW-ENGLAND.  171 

HE  vifited  and  publifhed  his  commitlion  in  New-  1699. 
HampJhire,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  inhabitants.* 

LORD  Beliamont  this  year  held  two  feflions  of 
die  general  court.  The  firfl  was  on  the  annivcr- 
fary  for  the  election  of  counfellors.  The  fecond 
was  occafloned  by  the  prevailing  report,  that  there 
was  a  general  confederacy  of  the  Indians,  for  the 
total  extirpation  of  the  Englifh.  Such  \vas  the 
confternation  in  MaiTachufetts,  that  feveral  acls 
pafied  the  general  courf,  viz*  for  levying  foldiers ; 
for  punilhing  mutiny  and  defertipn  ;  for  having  all 
the  militia  prepared  for  the  war  ;  and  for  enabling 
the  governor  to  march  them  out  of  tfye  province, 
from  which  by  charter  he  was  retrained  without 
an  aflt  of  the  afiembly.  The  general  terror  foon 
after  fubfided,  which  prevented  the  execution  of 
thofe  laws. 

SOON  after  the  feftion  of  the  general   court  in  1700. 
May,  Lord  Beliamont  took  his  leave  of  MafTachu-  ^^ 
fetts,  and  went  to  New- York,  where  he  died  on 
the  5th  of  March  the  fubfequeat  year.     His  death 
was  greatly  regretted  by  the  people  in  his    feveral 
governments,     among   whom   he   had    renderecj 
himfelf  very  popular.! 

AFTER  the  intelligence  of  Lord  Bellamont's  1702. 
death  reached  England,  Queen  Anne,  who  fuc- 
ceeded  upon  the  death  of  king  William,  appoint- 
ed Jofeph  Dudley,  Efq.  formerly  prefident  of  New- 
England,  to  be  governor  of  Maffachufetts  and 
'  New-Hampfliire.  He  was  received  in  Maflachu- 

*    Kutcbinfon,   Vol.  II.   p.  uj.      Belkntp,   Vol.  L$.   304, 
f  H+tcbinJon)  Vti  //./>,  12\. 


172  HISTORY     OF 

1702.  fetts  with  ceremony  and  refpect,  even  by  thofe  who 
^^^  had  been  his   greateft  oppofers   in  the  reign  of 

James  II. 

UPON  the  acceffion  of  governor  Dudley,  he  pro- 
duced inftructions,  among  other  things,  that  the  fal- 
aries  of  the  governor  and  lieutenant-governor,  for 
the  time  being,  mould  be  fettled  and  fixed  ;  but 
the  confequence  of  this  meafure,  as  tending  to  eftab- 
liih  the  control  of  the  crown  over  the  proceedings 
of  the  legiflature,  was  too  well  underflood  to  be 
adopted  ;  and  it  was  oppofed  both  by  the  council  . 
and  the  houfe  of  reprefentatives.* 

THE  conduct  of  Lewis  XIV.  in  proclaiming  the 
Pretender  king  of  England,  rendered  a  war  with 
France  inevitable.  There  was  the  greateft  proba- 
bility that  the  Indians  would  join.  The  governor 
of  Canada,  who  affumed  the  character  of  their  fa- 
ther and  protector,  infligated  them  to  prevent  the 
fettlement  of  the  Englifli  on  the  eaft  of  Kenne- 
bec.  A  French  million  was  eftablifhed,  and  a 
chapel  erected  at  Norridgwog,  on  the  upper  part 
of  Kennet>ec,  which  ferved  to  extend  the  influ- 
ence of  the  French  among  the  Indians.! 

1703.  THE  favage  tribes  were  preparing  for  hofliiities 
when  Dudley  entered  on  his  government.     The 
firft  fummer  after   his  arrival,  he  viiited   all    the 
eaflern  frontiers  as  far  as  Pemaquid,  accompanied 
with  a  number  of  gentlemen  from  both  his  provin- 
ces.    He  held  a  conference  at  Cafco  with  delegates 
from  a  number  of  the  Indian  tribes.      They  gave 

*  Idintt,  p.   59.     f  Hutchinjont  Pol  H.  />.  134, 


NEW.  EN  GLAND.  173 

him  the  ftrongeft  aflurances  of  their  pacific  inten-  1703. 
tions,  and  declared,  that  though  the  French  emir- 
faries  had  endeavoured  to  difiblve  the  union,  yet  it 
was  "  firm  as  a  mountain,  and  ihould  continue  as 
long  as  the  fun  and  moon."  Notwithdanding 
thefe  fair  appearances,  in  the  fpace  of  fix  weeks, 
five  hundred  of  the  French  and  Indians  attacked 
all  the  fettlements  from  Cafco  to  Wells,  and  killed 
and  took  nearly  one  hundred  and  thirty  people. 
They  burnt  and  deftroyed  the  places  before  them, 
in  their  deftru&ive  ravages.* 

THE  country  at  this  period  was  in  terror  anc\ 
confufion.  The  women  and  children  retired  to 
their  garrifons.  The  men  went  armed  to  their 
work,  and  pofted  centinels  in  the  fields.  Troops 
of  horfe  were  quartered  at  Portfmouth,  and  in 
the  province  of  Maine.  Alarms  were  frequent  j 
the  whole  frontier  country,  from  Deerfield  on  the 
wed,  to  Cafco  on  the  eaft,  was  kept  in  continual 
terror  by  fmall  parties  of  the  enemy.f 

IT  was  principally  againfl  Maffachufetts-Bay  and 
New-Hampfhire  that  the  Indians,  during  a  ten 
years  war,  exerted  all  their  ftrength.  Rhode- 
liland,  from  its  local  fituation,  has  ever  been  lefs 
expofed  to  the  excurfions  of  the  French  and  In- 
dians than  thofe  colonies.  In  the  wars  of  Philip, 
of  king  William,  and  queen  Anne,  Connecticut 
loft  only  the  buildings  and  part  of  the  effects  of 
one  town.  In  the  prefentwar,  not  a  fingle  town 

*  Eflknap.,  -f»  Penballo-ufs  Hljlorj  of  the  Wan  of  Nt*W' Eng- 
land. Belknap,  Pol.  I.  j>.  332, 


r-74  HISTORY     OF 

1703.  in  that  colony  was  loft,  nor  had  any  considerable 
^^  number  of  the  inhabitants   fallen  by  the  hands  of 

the  enemy.* 

BEFORE  the  clofe  of  the  year,  the  Indians  made 
a  defcent  upon  Deerfield,  a  remote  fettlemcnt  on 
Connecticut  river.  After  putting  forty  of  the  in- 
habitants to  death,  and  capturing  an  hundred, 
they  departed,  leaving  a  confiderable  number  of 
the  buildings  in  flames.  They  conducted  the 
prifoners  to  Ca-nada,  and  murdered  about  twenty 
ofthofe  unfortunate  captives,  who  were  unable 
to  travel  with  the  expedition  they  required.  Vau- 
dreuil,  the  French  governor  of  Canada,  treated 
the  prifoners  with  great  humanity.! 

1704.  THE  depredations  of  the  Indians  fliimilated  the 
*^~^J  colonies  to  raife  forces,  to  repel   their  favage   at- 
tacks,    The  chief  command  was  given  to   Col. 
Church,  who   had   rendered   himfelf  famous  by 
his  exploits  in   the   Philipic    war.     By  governor 
Dudley's  order,  he  conduced  his  army  in  an  ex- 
pedition to  the  eaftern  mores.     At  Pifcataqua,  he 
\vas  joined  by  a  body  of  men  under  Major  Hilton, 
who  did  him  eminent  fervice.     The  Engliih  army 
deflroyed  the  towns   of  Minas  and   Chiegnecto, 
and  did  confiderable    damage  to   the  French    and 
Indians  at  Penobfcot  and  PaHamaquody.| 

7705.  THE  governor,  at  this  period,  deputed  feveral 
gentlemen  to  take  a  journey  to  Canada  for  the  ex- 
change  of  prifoners.  They  returned  with  a  num- 
ber of  the  inhabitants  of  Deer  field,  and  other 

*  Trumbull,   yd.  L  f.  474.      |  Hutcbhilon.   Vd.  U.  p.     \  jS, 
"I  Stlkaap,     CljurJjs  fttjhrj  of  lot  Indian  tt'nr,  p.  I  <:8. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  ?7> 

captives.  Vaudreuil,  the  French  governor,  dif-  1705. 
patched  a  commiffioner  to  Bofton,  with  propofals 
of  neutrality,  which  were  communicated  to  the 
general  court.  As  their  favorite  object  was  the 
redu&km  of  Canada,  they  did  not  difcover  any 
difpofition  to  accede  to  his  plan.  Dudley  pro* 
traded  the  negociation,  under  pretence  of  con* 
fulting  with  the  other  governments ;  and  thus  the 
frontiers  were  preferved  tolerably  quiet  during  the 
remainder  of  the  year.* 

IN  April,  the  Indians  killed  eight,  and  wound-  1706. 
<ed  two  people   in  an  houfe   at   Oyfter^River,  in  ^^ 
New-Harnplhire*     The  gamfon  was  near,  but  not 
a  man  in  it.     The  women,  however,  feeing   no- 
thing but  death  before  them,  fired   an  alarm,  and 
then  putting  on  hats  and  loofening  their  hair,  that 
they  might   not   appear    like   men,  they  fired  fo 
brilkly,  that  the  enemy,  apprehending  the  people 
were  alarmed,  fled  without  burning,  or  even  plun- 
dering the  houfe  they  had  attacked.! 

WHEN  Col.  Church  went  to  Nova-Scotia,  he  1707 
very  earnefdy  defired  leave  to  make  an  attempt  on 
Port-Royal  ;  but  Dudley  would  not  conient,  and 
the  reafon  he  gave  was,  that  he  had  written  to  the 
miniftry  in  England,  and  expecled  orders  and  na- 
val ailiitance  to  reduce  the  place.  His  enemies, 
however,  afligned  another  reafcn  for  his  refufal ; 
which  was,  that  a  clandefline  trade  was  carried 
on  by  his  connivance,  and  to  his  emolument,  with 
the  French  in  Port-Royal,  This  report  gained 

*  Huubinfo^  fa/.  Up.  158.     f  Belknapt  V*L  I  p.  339. 


ij6  HISTORY    OF 

1707.  credit,  and  occafioned  a  vehement  demand  for  jut 
tice.*  Thofe  who  were  directly  concerned  in  the 
illegal  traffic  were  profecuted  and  fined  ;  and 
the  governor  fuffered  much  in  his  reputation.  To 
remove  thefe  afperfions,  he  determined  to  make 
an  attempt  .upon  Port- Royal,  even  though  he 
fhould  not  receive  any  alTiflance  from  England. 
EARLY  in  the  fpring,  the  governor  applied  to 
the  aflemblies  of  both  his  provinces,  and  to  the 
colonies  of  Rhode-Iiland  and  Connecticut,  requeft- 
ing  them -to  raife  one  thoufand  men  for  the  expe- 
dition. Connecticut  declined  ;  but  the  other  three 
raifed  the  whole  number.  The  chief  command  of 
this  army  was  given  to  Co!.  March.  A  jealoufy 
and  difagreement  among  the  officers,  and  a  mif- 
apprehenfion  of  the  Hate  of  the  fort  and  garrifon, 
rendered  this  expedition  abortive.! 

THE  war  continued  the  two  following  years, 
during  which  period  the  colonies  were  greatly  dif- 
t-reffed  by  the  devaftations  of  the  French  and  their 
Indian  allies.  In  1710,  the  territory  of  Acadie 
was  fubdued  by  the  capture  of  Port-Royal.  Eng- 
land, at  length,  afllfted  the  colonies,  to  raife  a  force 
fufficient  for  the  reduction  of  that  place.  The  chief 
command  of  this  combined  army  was  given*  to 
Francis  Nicolfon,  Efq.  who  had  been  lieutenant- 
governor  of  Virginia.  After  fhe  furrender  of  Port* 
Royal,  it  was  called  Annapolis,  in  honor  of  the 

*  Set  Dr.  Increafe  and  Cotton  Mat  tor's  letters  to  £e<vernor  Dud' 
/#»•,  in  Collfftions  cf  the  MaJ/'aihuffiti  UifsriuU  Satiety,   */94« 
i  Briknap,  /V.  /.  /.  341. 


NEW -ENGLAND.  177 

queen.     Samuel  Vetch,  who  had  been  Colonel  in  1710. 
the   late, army,  was   appointed   governor.*  *~^r*j 

THE  furrender  of  Port-Royal  encouraged  the  1711. 
inhabitants  of  New-England  to  attempt  the  reduc-  ^^^ 
tion  of  Quebec*  General  Nicolfon  made  a  voyage 
to  England,  to  fo licit  for  this  piirpofe,  and  re- 
ceived a  favorable  anfwer  from  the  Britifh  court. 
The  combined  army  of  Englifh  and  Americans, 
engaged  in  this  enterprize,  made  a  body  of  about 
fix  thoufand  five  hundred  men  $  and  the  fleet  con- 
fided of  fifteen  mips  of  war.  The  fanguine  hopes 
of  fuccefs,  which  had  been  entertained  by  the  na- 
tion, and  the  colonies,  were  all  blafled  in  one 
fatal  night.  For  as  the  fleet  was  on  its  pafiage  to 
Canada,  eight  tranfports  were  wrecked  on  Egg- 
Xiland,  near  the  north  fhore  ;  and  one  thoufand 
people  perimed,  among  whom  there  was  but  one 
man,  who  belonged  to  New-England.  The  ex- 
pedition was  relinquifhed,  in  confequence  of  this 
melancholy  event.  On  this  occafion  the  colonies 
felt  the  keened  difappointment  and  regret.  Some 
pious  minds  were  hence  induced  to  give  up  the 
idea  of  fubjecting  Canada.  They  imagined  that 
their  unfuccefsful  attempts  clearly  indicated,  that 
Providence  never  defigned  the  whole  northern  con- 
tinent for  one  European  nation.f 

THE  failure  of  this  expedition  encouraged  the  1712. 
Indians  to  harrafs  the  frontiers,  as  foon  as  the  fea- 
fon  would  permit.     But  the  Americans   had  be- 

*   tf'ynnis  Hiftory  of  the  Eriiljb    Empirt  in   Amtrica,  Vol.  /. 
/    496,     f  Hrttcbtn/on,  fo/.  //./>.     196, 

y 


178  HIS  TORY     OF 

1712.  come  vigilant  in  difcovering,  and  active  in  baffling 


their  plans. 

IN  autumn,  intelligence  of  the  peace  of  Utrecht 
arrived  in  America  ;  and  on  the  29th  of  October 
the  fufpenxrion  of  arms  was  proclaimed  at  Portf- 
mouth.  The  Indians  being  informed  of  this  event, 
came  in  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  Capt.  Moody,  and 
defired  a  treaty,  which  the  governor,  with  the 
1713.  council  of  each  provincea  held  at  Portfmouth, 
"^  where  the  chiefs  and  deputies  of  the  feveral  bel- 
ligerent tribes,  by  a  formal  writing  under  hand 
and  feal,  agreed  upon  articles  of  fubmiffion  and 
pacification.* 

•    THIS  event  was  peculiarly  welcome  to  the  in- 
habitants of  New-England,  who  had  been  greatly 
diftrefled  by  the   war  ;  Mafiachufetts  and  Ne\v- 
Hampihire  in  particular.     Their  population  bore 
no  proportion  to    the  other  colonies  ;  the   differ- 
ence was  chiefly    owing    to  the  conflant  (late  of 
war,  in  which    thofe  provinces,  efpecially   MafTa- 
chufetts,  had  been  involved.     From   16753  when 
the  Philipic  war  commenced,  to  1713,  five  or  fix 
thoufand  of  the  youth  of  the  country  had  perifhed 
by  the  enemy,  or  by  diftcmpeis  contracted  in  the 
fervice.     The  province,  during  the  war,  was  fub- 
jecled  to  heavy  taxes,  which  they  fuflained  without 
any  relief  or  compenfation  from  the  parent  ftate.f 
NOTWITHSTANDING  thefe  difficulties  retarded 
the  population  of  the  province  of  MaiTachufettSj 

*  Belknap,  Vol  7.  p.  5^5.  f  llutcbinfont  f'oL  11.  p.  202. 
Tb*.  colony  lax  of  Maj/acbufc:tst  in  1693,  wat  tweotj-fuur  thou* 
f  and  pounds* 


NEW.  EN  GLAND.  179 

it  greatly  increafed  ;  and  a  number  of  new  town- 
•fhips  were  formed.  Wrentham,*  Needham,t  Bel- 
linghamj  and  Walpole,||  were,  at  different  peri- 
ods, fet  off  from  Dedhara,  and  incorporated  into 
feparate  to\vnfhips.§ 

THE  New-England  churches  were  alfo  rapidly 
mcreafing.  In  [696,  there  were  an  hundred  and 
thirty  churches  in  the  colonies,  thirty-five  of  whicij 
were  in  Connecticut.1^" 

AT  this  period,  Connecticut  had  fettled  forty-  1713. 
five  towns  under   its  own  jurisdiction.     Forty  of 
them  fcnt  deputies.     The  houfe  of  reprefentatives, 
\vhen  full,  confifted  of  eighty  members. 

THE  number  of  ordained  clergymen  in  this  col* 
ony  the  prefent  year,  exclufive  of  thofe  in  the 
towns  under  the  government  of  MarTachufetts,  was 
forty-three.  Upon  the  lowed  computation,  there 
was  one  ordained  miniiler  to  every  four  hundred 
perfons,  or  to  every  eighty  families.  It  does  not 
appear  that  there  was  one  bereaved  church  in  the 
colony.  Befides,  there  was  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  candidates  preaching  in  the  new  towns  and 
pariihes,  in  which  churches  were  not  yet  formed. 

THE  whole  number  of  inhabitants  in  Connecti- 
cut, at  this  time,  amounted  to  about  feventeen 
thoufand.'** 

ABOUT  this  period,  the  greateft  part  of  the  town 
of  Boflon  was  laid  in  afhes  by  an  accidental  fire. 
Though  the  inhabitants  of  New-England  were  con- 

*    1 66 1.      f  1711.      £1719.      ||    1724.      §  Dexter s  Cevtu- 
ry  Strntwi,      <fi  La'.e   Prefident  Stiffs'  manujcri'ft  Lectures  on  Ectie* 

rcl,  /./.  476,  518. 


i8o  HISTORY     OF 

1713.  fiderably  in  debt,  on  account  of  the  late  war,  it 
was  focn  rebuilt  in  a  far  more  elegant  and  com- 
modious manner  than  before.  This  evinced  the 
prodigious  acquifitions  the  people  had  made  in 
commerce  and  induftry  fince  the  foundation  of 
the  colony.  The  peace  of  Utrecht  greatly  increaf- 
ed  the  wealth  and  happinefs  of1  New-England. 
The  authors  of  the  Univerfal  Hiftory  obferve, 
that,  "  the  inhabitants  of  thofe  colonies,  to  their 
native  love  of  liberty,  added  now  the  polite  arts  of 
life ;  induftry  was  embellifhed  by  elegance  ;  and, 
what  would  have  been  hardly  credible  in  ancient 
Greece  and  Rome,  in  lefs  than  fourfcore  years, 
colonies,  almoft  unalMed  by  their  mother  coun- 
try, arofe  in  the  wilds  of  America,  which,  if  tranf- 
planted  to  Europe,  and  rendered  an  independent 
government,  would  have  made  no  mean  figure 
her  fovereign  ftates.* 

*  Uni<oerjal  Hijlory,  /U  XIX.  p.  334. 


NEW-ENGLAND, 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Of  the  attention  paid  to  the  promotion  of  learning  in 
'New-England.  New  buildings  erected  for  the 
univcrfity  of  Cambridge.  Tale  college  founded, 
and  fettled  at  New-Haven.  The  Connecticut 
churches  are  convened  in  a  fynod  at  Say  brook. 
The  Epifcopalian  mode  of  worjhip  is  introduced  in- 
to Connecticut.  Of  the  different  religious  denomi- 
nations in  Rhods-lfland.  An  Epifcopalian  church 
is  erccled  at  Portfmouth,  in  New-Ha?npJhire> 
Line  ofjurifdicJion  fettled  between  Majjachufetts 
and  Connecticut.  Death  of  Queen  Anne,  and  ac- 
ceffion  of  George  I.  Appointment  of  governor 
Shute.  Removal  and  charafier  of  governor 
Dudley, 


I 


T  may  afford  feme  relief  to  the 
mind,  to  take  leave  for  the  prefent  of  the  diiircf- 
fmg  Indian  wars,  and  turn  the  attention  to  a  more 
pleafing  fubjecl. 

THE  inhabitants  of  New-England,  from  their 
^firft  fettlement,  were  eminently  diitinguifhed  by 
their  attention  to  the  promotion  of  learning,  and 
neither  their  frequent  contefts  with  the  natives, 
nor  the  other  difficulties  which  they  were  obliged 
to  encounter,  could  divert  their  attention  from 
this  important  objeft. 

'+ 


iS;  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F 

1699.  THE  univerfity  of  Cambridge  was,  at  this  peri- 
od,  in  a  flouriPning  fituation.  The  Hon.  William 
Stoughton,  lieutenant-governor  of  the  province, 
erected  a  building  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
fludents,  which  filled  the  fpace  between  Harvard 
and  MaiTachufetts  halls.  It  was  called  Stoughion 
hall,  after  his  name,  and  ferved  to  perpetuate  his 
memory. 

IN  1745,  the  widow  and  daughters  of  Samuel 
Hoiden,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  bank  of  Eng- 
land, were  at  the  expence  of  creeling  Holden 
chapel,  which  commemorates  their  pious  liberality.* 

"  IN  no  part  of  the  world,"  favs  Dr.  Morfe, 
6C  is  the  education  of  all  ranks  of  people  more  at- 
tendexl  to  than  in  Connecticut.  From  the  firft 
fettlement  of  this  colony,  fchools  have  been  eftab- 
liihed  by  law  in  every  town  and  parifh  in  it,  for 
intruding  all  the  children  in  reading,  writing  and 
arithmetic.  Tke  law  alfo  directs  that  a  grammar 
fchool  fliould  be  kept  in  every  county  town."f 

IN  1654,  Mr.  Davenport  brought  forward  the 
infl'itutjon  of  a  college,  to  which  the  town  of  New- 
Haven  made  a  donation  of  land  and  meadows,  dii- 
tinguifhed  to  this  day  by  the  name  of  college  land. 
>Upon  a  donation  of  four  or  five  hundred  pounds 
fterling,  by  governor  Hopkins,  the  general  arTem- 
bly  erected  the  colony  fchool  into  a  college,  for 
teaching  the  learned  languages  and  fciences.  Mr. 
Davenport  took  the  care  of  this  fchool  for  feveral 
years ;  till  the  truftees,  with  the  magistrates  and 

*  Clark's  Letters,  p.  18.    f  Morjes  Geography,  VuL  /./>.  458. 


NE  W-EN  GLAND.  183 

mimflers,  eftablifhed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Peck,  accord- 
ing to  aft  of  the  aflembly.  This  gentleman  met 
\vith  fuch  a  variety  of  difcouragements,  that  the 
college  was  broken  up  in  1664,  and  terminated  in 
a  public  grammar  fchool,  which  continues  to  this 
day.* 

IN  the  beginning  of  the  prefent  century,  ten  of  1700. 
the  principal  divines  in  Connecticut  were  nomi- 
nated  and  agreed  upon,  by  a  general  confent  both 
of  the  miniflers  and  people,  to  (land  as  truftees, 
or  undertakers,  to  found,  erecl:  and  govern  a  col- 
lege. The  minifters,  foon  after  their  nomination, 
met  in  New-Haven,  accepted  the  charge,  and  ef- 
tablifhed  the  inftitution.  The  fubfequent  year, 
they  obtained  a  charter  from  the  general  afTembly 
of  Connecticut,  and  a  grant  of  money  for  the  en- 
couragement of  this  infant  feminary. 

SOON  after  the  reception  of  the  charter,  the 
truftees  met,  and  eftablifhed  certain  rules  for  the 
regulation  of  the  feminary  5  and  from  their  own 
number  chofe  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pierfon,  minifter  of 
Kiilingworth,  to  the  office  of  inflru&ing  and  gov- 
erning the  collegiate  fchool,  under  the  title  and 
character  of  Re&or.  They  fixed  on  Saybrook, 
as  the  moil  convenient  place,  at  prefent,  for  the 
college  ;  and  here  the  firft  commencement  was 
holden,  on  the  1 3th  of  September,  1702. 

SEVERAL  attempts  were  made  to  effect  the  re- 
moval of  Reclor  Pierfon  to  Saybrook,  but  with- 
out fuccefs ;  the  fmallnefs  of  the  collegiate  finan- 

*  Stile f  Hi/hrj  of  th  Ju^nt  p.  40. 


184  HISTORY   OF 

1703*  ces,  and  the  oppofition  of  his  own  congregation 
**^J  to   the    meafure,    prevented    its    execution.      Al- 
though, therefore,  the  commencement  was  hold- 
en  at  Saybrook,  the  ftudents,  during  Rector  Pier- 
fon's.adrniniftration,  refided  at  Killingworth. 

THE  college  continued  at  Saybrook  about  feven 
years,  without  any  remarkable  alteration  or  occur- 
rence. In  1/16,  the  people  fubfcribed  large  fums 
for  the  erection  of  a  college  edifice^  where  it  would 
bed  accommodate  them.  The  truftees,  foon  af- 
ter, voted  to  remove  the  college  from  Saybrook, 
to  New-Haven  5  and  accordingly,  for  the  firffc 
time,  held  the  commencement  there  on  the  nth 
of  September,  1717.* 

1717.  THE  truftees,  having  received  a  number  of  val- 
uable  donations,  were  now  enabled  to  finifh  a 
large  and  commodious  edifice,  which  they  had 
raifed  in  October  the  preceding  year  ;  and  which, 
within  a  year  after,  was  fit  for  the  reception  of  the 
ftudents.  At  a  fplendid  commencement,  Septem- 
ber 12,  1/18,  in  the  prefence  of  governor  Salton- 
flall,  and  a  large  and  refpeftable  aflembly,  the 
truftees,  in  commemoration  of  governor  Yale's 
great  generofity  (who  had  made  large  prefents  of 
books,  and  other  valuable  articles  to  the  femina- 
ry)  called  the  edifice  after  his  name,  Yale  a  f 

FOR  a  few  years  the  infant  college  contained* 
en  an  average,  but  twelve  or  fifteen  fcholars.  At 
the  period  of  its  removal  to  New-Haven,  the  mini- 

*  See  a  particular  account   of  Tale  college    in   the    afftndix  tt 
Holmes    Life  of  Prefident  Stile:. 

f  Hairnet   Life  of  Preftdcnt  Stilts,  p.  386, 


NEW- ENGLAND.  185 

ber  had  increafed  to  about  thirty.  In  the  year 
1727,  it  contained  fifty  or  fixty  ;  and  in  the  year 
1740,  about  ninety  {Indents.* 

IN  1745,  an  act  was  paiTed  by  the  legiflature  of 
Connecticut,  "  for  the  more  full  and  complete  ef- 
tablifhment  of  Yale  college  ;  and  for  enlarging  its 
powers  and  privileges."  By  this  act,  the  rector 
and  truftees  were  incorporated,  by  the  name  of 
"  The  Prefident  and  Fellows  of  Yale  College,  in 
New-Haven  ;"  and  they  flill  retain  the  appellation.! 

IN  1750,  by  means  of  a  lottery,  ?nd  a  liberal 
grant  from  the  legiflature,  the  corporation  was  en- 
abled to  erect  another  edifice,  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  (Indents.  In  grateful  acknowledgment 
of  the  generofity  of  the  government,  the  prefident 
and  fellows,  at  the  commencement  in  1752,  ordei- 
ed,  that  the  new  college  be  named  Connecticut 
hall  | 

THE  inhabitants  of  Connecticut  paid  great  at- 
tention to  the  religious,  as  well  as  to  the  literary 
ftate  of  their  colony.  In  the  year  1708,  a  fynod 
was  convened  at  Saybrook,  compofed  of  the  min- 
ifters  and  delegates  from  the  churches  of  the  four 
counties  of  Hartford,  New-Haven,  Fan-field  and 
New-London,  together  with  two  or  more  meiTen- 
gers  from  a  convention  of  the  churches  of  each  cf 
the  four  counties.  This  fynod  drew  up  the  form 
of  church  government  and  difcipline,  which  is 
known  by  the  name  of  thev  Saybrock  platform  j 

*  Marufcripi  of  ike  late  Prtfident  Sti/es. 
f  Life  ofl'rtjit'ant  Slits*,  p    391.     J  7^/V* 


i8<5  HISTORY    OF 

1708.  this  was  prefented  to  the  general  court,  pafTed  In- 
to  a  law  of  the  colony,  and  became  the  eftablifhed 
conftitution  of  the  churches  of  Connecticut.* 

DR.  Trumbull  obferves,  "  That  though  the 
council  were  unanimous  in  palling  the  platform  or 
difcipline,  yet  they  were  not  all  of  one  opinion. 
Some  were  for  high  confociational  government, 
and  in  their  fentiinents,  nearly  Prefbyterian  ;  others 
were  much  more  moderate,  and  rather  verging 
on  Independency  ;  but  they  exercifed  great 
Chriftian  condeicenfion  towards  each  other."! 

DURING  the  term  of  about  feventy  years  fronT 
the  fettlement  of  Connecticut,  the  congregational 
was  the  only  mode  of  worfhip  in  the  colony.  But 
the  fociety  for  propagating  the  gofpei  in  foreign 
parts,  in  1704,  fixed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Muirfon  as  a 
mifiionary  at  Rye.  Some  of  the  people  at  Strat- 
ford, who  had  been  educated  in  the  Epifcopalian 
worfhip,  made  an  earned  application  to  Mr.  Muir- 
fon to  vifit  at  Stratford,  and  preach  and  baptize 
among  them.  About  the  year  1706,  upon  their 
invitation,  he  came  to  Stratford,  accompanied 
•with  Colonel  Heathcote,  a  gentleman  zealbufly  en- 
gaged  in  promoting  the  E'pHcopal  church.  The 
nimiflers  and ,  people  in  that,  and  the  adjacent 
towns,  were  alarmed  at  his  arrival,  and  tiled  their 
exertions  to  prevent  their  neighbors  and  families 
from  attending  his  preaching.  However,  the 
novelty  of  the  affair,  and  other  circuraftanc'. ;, 
brought  together  a  confidcnublc  afietnbiy  ,  .  : 

*  Manttftrift  of  tbz  late  Prefiatnt 


NE  W -ENGLAND.  187 

Mr.  Muirfon  baptized  five  -and  twenty  perfons,  1706. 
principally  adults.  This  was  the  firft  Hep  towards 
introducing  the  church  worfhip  into  this  colony. 
In  April,  1707.  he  made  another  vifit  to  Strat- 
ford. He  alfo  preached  at  this  time  in  Fairfield, 
and  in  both  towns  baptized  a  number  of  children 
and  adult  pedbns.  Both  .the  magistrates  and  cler- 
gymen .oppofed  the  introdu&ion  of  Epifcopacy^ 
and  advifed  the  people  not  to  attend  the  preacbu- 
ing  of  the  church  miffionaries.  The  oppofition 
only  increafed  the  zeal  of  the  churchmen,  Mr, 
Muirfon,  after  this,  made  feverai  journies  to  Con- 
necticut, till  the  year  1722,  when  Mr.  Pigot  was 
appointed  miflionary  at  Stratford.  The  Epifcopal- 
ians  at  firft  in  that  place  confided  of  about  fifteen 
families,  among  whom  were  a  few  hufbandmen, 
but  much  the  greater  number  were  tradefmen, 
who  had  been  born  in  England,  and  came  and  fet- 
tled in  that  town.  Some  of  their  neighbors  joined 
them,  fo  that  Mr.  Pigot  had  twenty  communicants, 
and  about  an  hundred  and  fifty  hearers.  In  1723, 
Chrift  Church,  in  Stratford.,  was  founded,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Johnfon,  afterwards  Dr.  Johnfon,  was 
appointed  to  fucceed  Mr.  Pigot,* 

RHODE-ISLAND,  from  its  firft  fettlement,  was 
diitlnguiihed  by  liberality  of  fentimcnt  ;  and  by  the 
variety  of  religious  denominations,  which  found  an 
afylumin.that  colony. 

IN   1671,  a   number  of  the  members  of  Mr. 
Clark's  .church,  who  had  embraced  the  opinions 
*  1  ratal  ull. 


1 88'  HISTORY     OF 

1671.  of  the  feventh   day  Baptifts,  feparated  from  their 
l~"v">J  brethren,   and  erected  a  church  under  the  pafloral 
care  of  Mr.  William  Hifcex.* 

IN  170(5,  the  Friends,  or  Quakers  meeting-houfe 
was  built  at  Newport.  Their  yearly  meeting, 
till  governor  Coddington's  death,  was  held  in  his 
houfe,  and  he  died  a  member  of  that  body,  in  1688, 
IN  1720,  there  was  a  congregational  church 
gathered  at  Newport,  and  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Clap 
v/as  ordained  its  pallor.  Out  of  this  church 
another  was  formed  in  1728.  The  worfhip  of 
God,  according  to  the  rites  of  the  church  of  iing- 
land,  was  indituted  here  in  1706,  by  the  fociety 
for  propagating  the  gofpel  in  foreign  parts.  And 
jn  1738,  there  were  feven  worfhiping  alTemblies 
in  this  tow7n,  and  a  large  fociety  of  Quakers  at 
portfmouth,  at  the  other  end  of  the  iiland.f 

THERE  had  not  been  any  Epifcopal  church  in 
the  province  of  New-Harnpmire,  from  its  firft  fet- 
tlement  till  about  the  year  1732,  when  fome  gen- 
tlemen, who  were  attached  to  the  mode  of  worfhip 
In  the  church  of  England,  contributed  to  the  erec- 
tion of  a  neat  building  on  a  commanding  eminence 
at  Portfmouth,  which  they  called  the  queen's 
chapel.  It  was  confecrated  in  1734;  and  in 
1736  they  ordained  Mr.  Arthur  Brown  for  their 
minifter,  with  a  falary  from  the  fociety  for  propa- 
gating the  gofpel  in  foreign  parts.  J 

3713.      FOR  feveral  years  ineffectual  attempts  had  been 
v^v^/  made  for  fettling  a  line  of  jurifcliclion  between  the 

*  Ctlhnder,  ^.65.     f  Mer/f,  ^.446. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  *89 

province  of  MafTachufetts  and  the  colony  of  New-  1713. 
Haven.     This  object  was  now  accompliflied  ;  and  v**vxj 
the  lands  granted  by  MafTachufetts  to  Connecticut 
were  applied  for  the  fupport  of  Yale  college,  and 
other  public  ufes.      The  controverted  towns,  for 
many  years  after,    continued  without   moleftation 
under  the  jurifdittion  by   which  they  were   firft 
fettled. 

ON  the  1 5th  of  September  arrived  the  news  of  1714. 
Queen  Anne's  death  ;  and  the  acceffion  of  King 
George  I,  who  was  then  proclaimed  in  New- 
England.  Colonel  Burgefs  was  commirTioned 
governor  of  MaiTachufetts  and  New-Hampfhire ; 
but  for  the  confideradon  of  a  thoufand  pounds 
flerling,  he  refigned,  and  Col.  Samuel  Shute  was 
appointed  governor  of  both  provinces.  Mr.  Dud- 
ley was  removed,  and  paving  pafled  through  many 
fcenes  of  aclive  life,  retired  to  pafs  the  remainder 
of  his  days  in  a  private  ftation.* 

MR.  Dudley  has  been  characlerifed  by  governor 
Hutchinfon  as  u  a  man  in  whom  ambition  was  the 
ruling  paffion."  "  His  friends,"  fays  that  author, 
"  were  lavifh  in  their  encomiums  on  his  diligence, 
frugality,  and  his  judgment  in  the  adminiftration 
of  affairs ;  while  he  was  charged  by  his  enemies 
with  bribery,  corruption  and  other  crimes."  His 
arbitrary  principles  were  extremely  difagreeable  to 
the  people  under  his  government.  During  his  ad- 
miniflration  he  had  frequent  altercations  with  the 
council.  The  high  ideas  of  liberty  imbibed  by  the 

oL  1L  p.  206. 


H  I  S  T  D  R  Y   O  F 

inhabitants  of  New-England  occafioned  their  being 
extremely  jealous  of  thofe  governors  who  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  crown.  They  early  exhibited 
penetration  in  difcovering,  and  firmneis  in  oppof- 
ing,  every  encroachment  on  their  civil  and  religious 
privileges 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  tf  D,  191 


CHAPTER    XV. 

Arrival  of  governor  Shute.  He  renews  the  treaty 
ivit/j  the  Indians.  Of  his  altercation  with  the 
people.  His  departure  to  England.  Ofthefmall- 
pox.  War  with  the  French  and  Indians.  Death 
of  the  Jcfu.lt  Ralle.  Peace  concluded.  Fort 
Dummer  built.  Appointment  and  jharacler  of 
governor  Burnet.  Of  his  contrwerfy  with  Maf- 
fachiifetts  rcf peeling  a  fixed  f alary.  His  death* 
Appointment  of  governor  Belcher. 


c 


OL.  Shute  arrived  in  Bofton  Och>-  1716. 
ber  4,  and  was  received  with  the  ufual  parade. 
The  fubfequent  fummer,  attended  by  feveral  of 
the  council  both  of  Mafiachufetts  and  New- 
Hampfhire,  and  other  gentlemen,  he  met  the  In- 
dians at  Arrowfwick  ifland.  This  interview  with 
them  was  thought  expedient,  to  confirm  them  in 
their  friend  mi  p  to  the  En  glim ;  and,  if  poffible, 
engage  them  to  relinquiih  the  Roman  Catholic, 
and  embrace  the  Proteftant  religion.* 

AT  the  opening  of  the  conference,  the  governor  17 
offered    them   an  Indian   bible,   and  a  Proteflant 
miilionnry.       They  rejected  both,   faying   "  God 
had  given    them    teaching   already,   and  if  they 
IhouJu  depart  from  it,  they  would  incur  his  dil- 

*  Hut  din/an,  VoL   1L  f.   21  %L 


i92  HISTORY     OF 

1717.  pleafure."  All  attempts  to  induce  them  to  change 
^^  their  religion  proved  ineffectual.  They  complain- 
ed of  the  encroachments  which  the  Englifh  had 
made  upon  their  lands,  and  difcovered  the  afcend- 
ency  which  French  counfeis  had  gained  upon  their 
minds.  However,  as  their  aged  men  were  ex- 
tremely averfe  to  a  new  war,  they  agreed,  after 
fome  altercation,  to  renew  the  treaty  which  was 
made  at  Portfmouth.* 

SEVERAL  months  paffed  after  Col.  Shute's  ar- 
rival, without  open  oppofition  to  his  adminiftration. 
It  was  foon,  however,  infmuated,  that  he  was  a 
man  of  narrow  understanding  ;  and  under  the  in- 
fluence of  men  of  arbitrary  fentiments.  The  peo- 
ple were  hence  exhorted  to  guard  their  privileges 
with  the  utmoft  vigilance. 

SUBJECTS  of  contention  arofe  from  time  to 
time,  and  there  was  much  altercation  between  the 
governor  and  council  during  the  two  fubfequent 
years.  A  particular  relation  of  thofe  debates 
would  be  unentertaining  to  the  generality  of  read- 
ers, and  inconfiflent  with  the  brevity  of  this  work. 
1720.  THIS  year  the  diffenfions  in  government  arofe 
to  a  greater  height  than  they  had  done  fmce  the 
religious  difputes  in  1637.  The  governor  irritated 
the  houfe  of  reprefentatives  by  negativing  their 
choice  of  Mr.  Cook,  for  a  fpeaker  ;  and  upon  their 
refufmg  to  elect  another,  he  difiblved  the  court. 
This  nieafure  excited  the  keeneft  popular  refent- 
mem. 

*   Kuttbi*fiat  Vol.  II.  p.  121, 


NEW^EN  GLAND.  i95 

AGREEABLY    to    the   inftructions,   which   the  1720, 
governor  had  received  from  England,  he  recom-  ^^^ 
mended  to  the  afTembly  the  eftablifhing  of  a  fixed 
falary  for  his  fiipport ;  but  all  his  attempts  to   this 
purpofe  proved  ineffectual.* 

A  CONTROVERSY  arofe  in  New-Hampfhire  be- 
tween governor  Shute,  and  George  Vaughan,  Efq. 
the  lieutenant-governor  of  that  colony*  Vaugh- 
an  contended,  that  when  the  governor  was  pre- 
fent  in  his  other  province,  he  was  abfent  from 
New-Efampfhire,  and  confequently  the  adminift ra- 
tion devolved  on  him.  Shute  alleged,  that  he 
had  the  power  of  commander  in,  chief  over  both 
provinces  during  his  refidence  in  either.  The  con- 
troverfy  was  determined  in  England  in  favor 
of  governor  Shute.  Vaughan  v/as  difplaced, 
and  John  Wentworth,  Efq.  appointed  to  fuc- 
ceed  him.] 

THE  people  of  New-Hampfhire  were  fatisfied 
with  governor  Shute's  adminiftration  as  far  as  it 
refpe&ed  them  ;  and  they  contributed  more  to- 
wards his  fupport  in  proportion  to  their  popula- 
tion, than  his  other  government.]; 

THE   inhabitants   of    Mafiachufetts     continued  1722. 
flrenuoully  to  oppofe  his  adrniniftration,  and  gave  ^"^ 
him  fo  much  vexation,  that  he  was  induced  this 
year  to  leave  the  province,  and  return  to  England. 

UPON  his  arrival  he  exhibited  a  variety  of  com-  1723. 
plaints  againft  the  houfe  of  reprefentatives.      He 

*  Mute hinfon ,   Vol.    II.  p.  245.. 
^  Belknajt,  Vol.  U.  p.  21—25.     J  lbidt  p.  42, 
A    A 


i94  HISTORY    OF 

1723.  alleged,  that  they  had  invaded  the  royal  preroga- 
v^v^'  tive,  by  refufmg  to  admit  the  governor's  nega- 
tive in  the  choice  of  a  fpeaker  ;  by  aiTuming  the 
power  of  appbinting  clays  of  falling  and  thankf- 
giving  ;  and  in  adjourning  fliemfefves  to  a  diftant 
day  by  their  own  act.  Their  conduct  refpeding 
their  military  affairs  ;  and  other  parts  of  their  be- 
havior, were  alfa  reprefented  in  an  unfavorable 
light.* 

THE  Britilh  miniftry  were  greatly  offended  with 
the  conduct  of  the  MaiTachufetts  province  to- 
wards governor  Shute,  and  concluded  from  thence 
that  it  was  their  objecl  to  be  independent  of  the 
crown.  The  refult  was,  that  the  government  of 
the  province  was  obliged  to  accept  an  explanatory 
charter,  dated  Auguft  12,  1724,  confirming 
the  right  of  the  governor  to  approve  or  difap- 
prove  of  the  fpeaker  of  the  houfe,  and  declaring 
their  right  of  adjourning  without  his  confent,  to 
mean  only  from  day  to  day,  or  at  mod  for  a  term 
not  exceeding  two  days.f 

WHILST  the  province  was  diftrefled  by  internal 
divifions,  and  alarmed  with  the  apprehenfion  of 
a  fourth  Indian  war,  the  prevalence  of  an  infec- 
tious difeafe  was  the  fource  of  additional  calami- 
tics. 

1721.  AT  this  period  the  fmall-pox  proved  very  mor- 
tal in  Boflon,  and  ibme  of  the  adjacent  town*-. 
The  fpread  of  this  difeafe  being  prevented  for  al- 
mofl  twenty  years,  all  born  within  that  time,  be- 

*  Btlknapt  FaL  ll*p,  42.     f  Minott  p.  60. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  195 

fides  numbers  who  had  psevioufly  efcaped  it,  were  1721. 
expofed  to  the  diftemper.  Of  5889,  who  caught 
the  infection  in  Bolton,  844  died.  Inoculation 
was  introduced  on  this  occafion,  and  was  general- 
ly fo  vehemently  oppofed,  that  thofe  who  promot- 
ed it  hazarded  their  lives  from  popular  refent- 
rnent.  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  one  of  the  principal 
clergymen  in  Bofton,  had  feen  fome  accounts  of 
the  practice  of  inoculation,  in  Confbntinople,  pub- 
lilhed  in  the  transactions  of  the  Royal  Society, 
from  which  he  received  a  very  favorable  idea  of 
this  method.  This  induced  him,  when  the  fmall- 
pox  firft  began  to  fpread,  to  recommend  a  trial  to 
the  phyficians  of  the  town.  They  all  declined  it 
except  Dr.  Boylfton,  who,  to  evince  his  confi- 
dence in  the  utility  of  this  operation,  ventured  to 
make  the  important  experiment  in  his  own  family. 
The  fuccefs  was  equal  to  his  expectations.  Many 
expofed  to  the  infection  were  encouraged  to  re- 
ceive it  in  the  fame  way.  Dr.  Boylflon  praclifed 
inoculation  in  Boflon  before  it  was  known  in  that 
town,  that  it  had  ever  been  attempted  in  England, 
cr  in  any  part  of  Europe,  out  of  the  Turkifh  do- 
minions. Many  pious  people  were  ftruck  with 
horror,  and  were  of  opinion,  that  if  any  of  his  pa- 
tients mould  die,  he  ought  to  be  treatexi  as  a  mur- 
derer. The  vulgar  were  exafperated  to  fuch  a  de- 
gree, that  his  family  were  fcarcely  fecure  in  his 
houfe,  and  he  was  frequently  infulted  in  the 
fireets,* 

*  Riflon  Gazette  for  March  IO,  1766,  /.  360, 


HISTORY     OF 

GOVERNOR  Hutchlnfon  remarks,  that,  "  fuch 
was  the  force  of  prejudice,  that  all  orders  of  men, 
at  that  period,  condemned  a  practice,  which  is  at 
prefent  generally  approved,  and  to  which  fo  many 
thoufands  owe  the  prefervation  of  their  lives. 5>* 

MEANTIME  the  Indians  were  preparing  for 
war.  The  French  furnifhed  them  with  ammuni- 
tion and  provifions ;  and  were  conftantly  inftigat. 
ing  them  to  commence  hoflilities. 

THE  Englifh  found  an  aftive  enemy  in  the 
perfon  of  one  Sebaftian  Ralle,  a  French  Jefuit, 
•who  had  eftablifjied  a  church  at  Norridgwog, 
where  he  refided.  He  was  a  man  of  good  fenfe5 
learning  and  addrefs  ;  and  an  enthufiaftic  for  his 
country  and  religion.  By  a  compliance  with  the 
Indian  mode  of  life,  and  a  gentle  condefcending 
deportment,  he  gained  their  affections ;  and  they 
implicitly  followed  his  dictates.  Knowing  the 
power  of  fuperflitiou  over  the  favage  mind,  he 
took  advantage  of  this,  and  of  their  prejudice 
againft  the  Englifh,  in  order  to  ftrengthen  their 
attachment  to  the  French  intereft.  He  even  made 
the  offices  of  devotion  ferve  as  incentives  to  their 
ferocity,  and  kept  a  flag,  on  which  was  depidlurcd 
a  crofs,  iurrounded  by  bones  ar^d  arrows,  which  he 
ufed  to  hoift  on  a  pole  at  the  door  of  his  church, 
when  he  gave  them  abfolution,  previoufly  to  their 
engaging  in  any  warlike  enterprise.! 

As  the  paffions  of  the  Indians  were  inflamed  by 
Ralle,  and  they  received  every  encouragement 

*  HutebinfQ»t  Vol.  //. /.273 — 27;.   -\Belknap,  VaL  II  p.  48. 


N.EW-EN  GLAND.  197 

from  the  French,  they  began  in  the  year  1720  to 
moled  the  Englifh  fettlers  in  a  variety  of  ways. 

IN  the  fucceeding  winter,  a  party  was  ordered  1721. 
to  Norridgwog,  to  feize  Ralle.    He  efcaped  before  v^~^ 
they  could  furround  the  houfe,   leaving  his  box  of 
papers,  which  they  conveyed  away  upon  their  re- 
turn, without  doing  any  other  damage.     Among 
thofe  papers  were  his  letters  of  correfpondence  with 
the  governor  of  Canada,  by  which  it  clearly  ap- 
peared, he  was   deeply  engaged  in  exciting  the 
Indians  to  a  rupture,  and  had   promifed  to  affift 
them. 

THIS  attempt  to  feize  their  fpiritual  father  Him-  1722* 
ulated  the  Indians  to  revenge.  After  committing 
feveral  hoftile  afts,  they  made  a  furious  attack  on 
the  town  of  Brunfwick,  which  they  deftroyed. 
This  action  determined  the  government  to  iffue  a 
declaration  of  war  againft  them,  which  was  pub- 
limed  at  Bofton  and  Portfmouth,  on  the  25th  of 

July.* 

THE  devaflations  of  the  Indians  during  this,  and 
the  fubfequent  year,  caufed  the  government  to  rer 
folve  on  an  expedition  to  Norridgwog.  The  cap- 
tains Moulton  and  Harman,  both  of  York,  each  at 
the  head  of  a  company  of  one  hundred  men,  ex- 
ecuted their  orders  with  great  addrefs.  They 
completely  invefted  and  furprized  that  village  j 
killed  the  obnoxious  Jefuit  with  about  eighty  of 
his  Indians  ;  recovered  three  captives  ;  deftroyed 
the  chapel,  and  brought  away  the  plate  aud  fuini* 
*  Belknsp,  /V.  //./>.  51,  52, 


f9«  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1724.  tare  of  the  altar,  and  the  devotional  flag,  as  trophies 
^^  of  their  vi^ory.8* 

1725.  THE  fuccefs   of  this  expedition  induced  feveral 
volunteer  companies  to  engage  againft  the  Indians. 
One  of  thofe  companies,  under  the  command    of 
Capt.  John  Lovewell,  of  Dunftable,  was  greatly 
diftinguifhed,  firft  by  their  fuccefs,  and  afterwards 
by  their  misfortunes.      After  performing  feveral 
brave  actions,  the  captain,  with  more  than  one 
quarter  of  his  company,  were  killed  in  one  of  the 
rnoft  fierce  and  obflinate  battles,  which  was  fought 
with   the  favages.      t?ot withstanding  this    fevere 
difcouragement,  the  Englifh  refufed  to  furrender, 
till  the   enemy,    awed   by  their   brave  refiftance, 
and  weakened  by  their  own  lofs,  yielded  them  the 
honor  of  the  field  .f 

THE  condud  of  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil* 
governor  of  Canada,  was  fo  flagrant  a  breach  of 
the  treaty  of  peace,  fubfiiling  between  the  crowns 
of  England  and  France,  that  the  provinces  of 
MalTachufetts  and  New-Harnpfhire  thought  proper 
to  fend  comrnifiioners  to  Canada.  They  were  to 
demand  of  the  French  governor  reflitution  of  the 
captives  under  his  government ;  to  remoniirate  to 
him  on  his  mjuftice  and  breach  of  friendihip,  in 
countenancing  the  Indians  in  their  hostilities 
againft  the  people  of  New-England  ^  and  to  infill 
upon  his  withdrawing  his  alliflance  for  the  future.  J 

THE    governor  of   Canada  received   the    com- 
miaioners  with  great  poiitenefs.     They  were  fuc- 

*  B*/*nap,  Vol.  II.  p*  60.      f  Ibid,  p.  66—70. 
%llid,  p.  71. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  i99 

cefsful  in  redeeming   a   number    of  Engliih  cap-  1725. 
tives.     The  good  effects  produced  by  this   miffion  *-^^ 
were  foon   vitible.     December  15,  a  treaty  was 
held  at  Bofton,  and  the  fubfequent  fpring  ratified 
at  Falmouth,  in  which  a  peace  was  concluded  with 
the  Indians.  ' 

NONE  of  the  colonies  of  New-England,  ere*. 
cent  Maffachufetts  and  New-Hampfhire,  bore  any 
ihare  in  the  calamities  and  expences  of  this  war ; 
and  New-Hampfhire  did  not  fufFe?  fo  much  as  in 
former  wars.  The  enemy  at  this  period  direcled 
their/ greateft  fury  againd  the  eaftern  parts  of  Maf- 
fachufetts.* 

AFTER  the  departure  of  governor  Shute,  Mr. 
William  Dummer,  the  then  lieutenant-governor, 
fucceeded  him  in  the  adminiftration  of  MafTachu- 
fetts.  Mr.  Wentworth,  lieutenant-governor  of 
New-Hampfhire,  managed  the  concerns  of  that 
province- 

IN  the  year  1724,  a  fettlement  was  fir  ft  made 
within  the  prefent  limits  of  Vermont.  The 
government  of  Maflachufetts  then  built  fort  Dum- 
mer, upon  Connecticut  river.  This  fort  was  at 
that  time  admitted  to  be  within  Maflachufetts.  It 
was  afterwards  found  to  be  in  New-Hainpfhire, 
and  is  now  included  in  the  (late  of  Vermont.f 

UPON    the  acceffion  of  King  George  II.   Mr.  1727. 
William  Burnet,  fon  of  the   celebrated  Biihop  of 
Sarum,  was  appointed  governor  of  Maflachufetts 
and  New-Hamp(hire.     He  is  characterized  "as  a 

*  Belknap,  Vol  1L  p.  79—81. 

•f-  ^  i Hiatus*  Hijiory  of  Vermont,  p.  211, 


o  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

27.  man  of  good  under  Handing  and  polite  literature  j 
fond  of  books,  and  of  the  converfation  of  literary 
men  ;  but  an  enemy  to  oftentation  and  parade.1'* 

HE  had  been  governor  of  New- York  and  New- 
Jerfey  ;  and  his  adminiftration  had,  in  general, 
been  very  popular  in  thofe  colonies,  and  approved 

1728.  in  England.     He  was  received  with  much  parade 
^^  at  Bofton,    whither    the   lieutenant-governor   of 

New-Hampfhire,  with  a  committee  of  the  council 
and  aflembly,  went  to  compliment  him  on  his  ar- 
rival.! 

MR.  Burnet  had  pofitive  inftru&ions  from  the 
crown  to  infill  on  the  eftablifhment  of  a  permanent 
falary  in  both  his  provinces.  He  began  with  Maf- 
fachufetts,  and  there  was  a  warm  altercation  be- 
tween him  and  the  general  c#urt  on  that  fubjedh 
The  inhabitants  of  Maflachufetts  always  declined 
complying  with  that  Tequifition,  being  apprehen- 
five  that  difagreeable  confequences  might  enfae 
from  the  independency  of  the  governor  on  the 
people  over  whom  he  was  placed,  f  The  inhabit- 
ants of  New-Hampfhire  were  more  pliabk  j  and 
granted  the  governor  a  fixed  falary  on  certain  con- 

1729.  ditions.      His    death,  which  happened  this  year, 
was  fuppofed  to  be  occafioned  by  the  ill  efFech, 
which  his  controverfy  with  MafTachufetts,  and  the 
difappointment   which    he  furlered  had  upon  his 
nerves.!) 

*  ILticbinbn.     f  Belknap,  Vol.  IL  p.  93. 
J  See  a  particular  account  of  the  contrcver/ies  between  tie  gwj* 
ernors  and  council \  in  Hutchinfuns  tiiftorj  of  Majjra:hiij{tt:* 


NEW -ENGLAND.  201 

\VHEN  the  death  of  governor  Burnet  was  known  1730. 
in  England,  the  refentment  againft  the  province 
of  Maflachufetts  for  their  conduct  towards  him 
was  very  high.  It  was  even  propofed  to  reduce 
them  to  a  more  abfolute  dependence  on  the  crown. 
However,  a  fpirit  of  moderation  prevailed,  and  Mr. 
Jonathan  Belcher,  a  native  of  the  province,  was 
appointed  governor  of  Maifachufetts  and  New- 
Hampfhire.* 

WHILST  the  provinces  of  Maflachufetts  and 
New-Hampfhire  were  engaged  in  altercations  with 
the  governors,  who  were  appointed  by  the  crown, 
the  colonies  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode-Iiland  en- 
joyed, under  their  ancient  charters,  the  privilege 
of  chufing  their  own  rulers. 

THOUGH  the  altercations  between  the  governors 
appointed  by  the  crown,  and  the  general  aflem- 
blies  of  Maflachufetts  afford  little  entertainment, 
fimply  confidered  ;  yet  they  appear  more  intereft- 
ing  when  viewed  as  refulting  from  that  love  of 
liberty  which  ever  formed  a  diftinguiftied  trait  in 
the  character  of  the  inhabitants  of  New-England. 
The  oppofition,  which  was  made,  to  fixing  a  falary 
on  the  royal  governors,  nurtured  a  fpirit  of  inde- 
pendence -y  and  early  habits  of  refilling  the  en- 
croachments of  Britain,  prepared  them  for  that 
arduous  conteft  which  finally  terminated  in  a  fepa- 
ration  from  the  parent  flate. 

*  Belknap*  Vol.  //,  p.  95. 
B  b 


2oz  H  IS  TORY    OF 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Arrival  of  governor  Belcher.  His  cbarafter.  lit 
endeavours  in  vain  to  obtain  a  fixed  /alary*  A 
•party  are  diffatisfad  <witb  his  government.  Con- 
troverfy  between  Maffachufctts  and  New-Hamp- 
Jhlre,  refpeding  the  divifanal  line.  Nei^-Ha^ip- 
Jhire  formed  into  a  feparate  government.  Re~ 
moval  of  Mr.  Bdcher.  Mr.  Shirley  appointed 
governor.  Reduction  of  Loitijbourg.  Expedition 
projected  againft  Canada.  The  French  fend  a 
powerful  armament  again/I  America,  which  is 
difperfed  by  a  violent  tempeft*  Treaty  of  Aix  la 
Chapelle*  Plan  of  introducing  bifoops  in  Ameri- 
ca. Settlement  of  Bennington. 


R.  Belclier  arrived  the  beginning 
5730.  of  Auguft,  and  was  received  with  great  joy.  He 
xvas  a  merchant  of  large  fortune,  and  unblemifhed 
reputation;  graceful  in  his  perfon,  elegant  and 
polite  in  his  manners.  He  was  a  fteaJy  generous 
friend  ;  a  vindictive,  but  not  implacable,  enemy, 
though  his  franknefs  and  fincerity  led  him  to  be  ex- 
tremely  liberal  in  his  cenfures  both  in  converfation 
snd  letters.  Being  of  an  afpiring  difpofition,  he 
entertained  a  high  fenfe  of  the  dignity  of  his  com- 
niiffion,  and  was  determined  to  fupport  it,  even  at 
the  expence  of  his  private  fortune  $  the  emolu- 


NEW-ENGLAND.  205 

ments  of  office,  in  both  provinces,   being  inade-  1730. 


quate  to  the  ftylein  which  he  chofe  to  live.* 

IN  the  beginning  of  his  administration,  he 
attempted  to  obtain  a  fixed  falary  from  'MafTachu- 
fetts  ;  but  he  was  as  unfuccefsful  as  his  predecef- 
fors.  The  affembly  of  that  province  continued 
their  oppofition  to  this  meafure  with  perfevering 
firrnnefs.  What  he  received  from  New-Hamp- 
fhire  was  fixed,  and  paid  out  of  the  excife.f 

AFTER  Mr.  Belcher  relinquifhed  the  idea  of  1731. 
receiving  a  fixed  falary  from  MafTachufetts,  he 
endeavoured  to  obtain  a  relaxation  of  his  inftruc- 
tions.  A  confent  to  receive  particular  fums  was 
given  for  two  or  three  years  ;  and,  at  length,  a 
general  permhTion  to  receive  fuch  fums  as  {hould 
be  granted.  Thus  the  tedious  controverfy  ref- 
pecting  the  governor's  falary  was  terminated.! 

THOUGH  Mr.  Belcher's  talents  were  of  the  popu- 
lar kind,  a  party  was  formed  againft  him,  who 
tranfmitted  complaints  of  his  conduct  to  England. 
He  and  his  friends  had  projected  an  union  of 
New-Hampfhire  with  MalTachufetts  ;  but  they  had 
not  yet  concerted  the  means  of  accompli  (hing 
this  purpofe. 

MR.  D  unbar,  the  lieutenant-governor  of  New.- 
HampPnire,  was  at  the  head  of  the  oppofition  againfl 
Mr.  Belcher.  This  party  contemplated  not  only 
the  continuance  of  a  feparate  government,  but  the 
appointment  of  a  diflinct  governor,  who  {hould  re- 
fide  in  the  province,  and  have  no  connexion  with 

*  $elfaa#t  /'V,  II.  p.  96.  f  Ibid,  \  ilutcbixfon,  VoL  lip  374- 


204  H  I  S  T  O  II  Y     O  F 

1731.  Maffachufetts.  In  order  to  remove  the  obftacle, 
w'vv  which  arofe  from  the  fmallnefs  and  poverty  of 
their  province,  they  were  zealous  to  have  the 
bounds  of  territory  not  only  fixed,  but  enlarged. 
Their  avowed  intention  was  to  terminate  a  tedious 
controverfy,  which  had  proved  a  fource  of  incon- 
venience to  the  people,  who  refided  on  the  difputed 
bnds ;  or  rhofe,  who  fought  an  intereft  in  them  ; 
but  their  fee  ret  defign  was  to  difplace  Belcher,  anil 
obtain  a  feparate  government.* 

THE    provinces    of   Maflachufetts    and    New- 
Hampfhire    had  a   long  and  tedious    controverfy 
refpecling  the  divifional  line.      The  queftion  was 
1737.  referred  to  commiflioners  appointed  by  the  crown, 
"°^  who,  after  difplaying    much  parade,   and  caufmg 
great  expence,  left  the  matter  undecided.     It  re- 
mained a  fubjecl  of  intrigue  and  altercation  during 
the  two  fubfequent  years.     At  length,   the  affair 
1740.  was  left  to  the  decifion  of  the  lords  of  the  council. 
Their  determinations  exceeded  the  mofl   fanguine 
expectations  of  New-Hampihire,  as  it  gave  them  a 
tracl:  of  country,  fourteen  miles  in  breadth,   and 
above  fifty  in   length,  more  than  they   had   ever 
claimed.f 

ON  the  other  hand,  the  politicians  of  MaiTachu- 
fetts  were  chagrined  and  enraged  at  this  deter- 
mination," which  curtailed  their  province.  They 
difpatched  Mr.  Thomas  Hutchinfon,  afterwards 
governor  of  Maflachufetts,  for  an  agent  to  petition 
the  king,  that  he  would  reannex  to  their  govern* 

¥rtl,  II.  p.  104,  105.     -\Ibidtp.  i;o. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  205 

ment    the  twenty-eight  new  townfliips,  and  the  1740. 
diftrich  of  the  fix  old  towns,  which  had  been  cut 
off  by  the  divifion.       The  petition  was  finally  re- 
jected, and  New-Hampfhire  formed  into  a  feparate 
government.* 

IN  the  mean  time  Mr.  Belcher's  enemies   were  I741- 
indefatigable  in  their  endeavours  to  remove  him  ;  v-^v*s-) 
and  Dr.  Belknap  obferves,  "  that,  by  their  incef- 
fant  applications  to  the  miniflry  ;  by  taking  every 
advantage  of  his  miftakes  ;  by  falfehood  and  mif- 
reprefentation  ;    and  finally,  by  the  diabolical  arts 
of  forgery  and  perjury,  they  accomplifhed  their 
views. 

"  HE  was  fucceeded  in  the  government  of  Maf- 
fachufetts  by  William  Shirley;  and  in  New- 
Hampfhire  by  Benning  Wentworth.f" 

A?TER  Mr.  Belcher  was  fuperceded  in  the 
government,  he  repaired  to  court,  where  he  had  an 
opportunity  to  exhibit  the  moft  convincing  evi- 
dence of  his  integrity,  and  of  the  bafe  deligns  of 
his  enemies.  He  was,  at  length  appointed  gover- 
nor of  New-Jerfey  ;  where  he  fpent  the  remaining 
years  of  his  life  ;  and  where  his  memory  has  been 
treated  with  merited  refpec'r. 

NEWS  being  received  in  MafTachufetts  that  war 
was  declared  againft  France  and  Spain,  it  was  re- 
fojved  by  the  general  court,  then  fitting,  to  make  1744, 
provifion  for  raifmg  forces  for  Nova-Scotia.  Gov- 
ernor  Shirley  projected  an  enterprize  againfl  Lou. 
Jibourg,  a  fortified  town  in  the  ifland  of  Cape-Bre- 
*  Selknaf*  f'al.  II. $.  172,  i^.  f  MM,  p.  \^ 


so6  HISTORY     OF 

1 744.  ton.  Twenty-five  years  had  been  devoted  to 
^"•^  ere&ing  its  fortifications,  which,  though  not  entire- 
ly finifhed,  had  coft  the  crown  of  France  thirty 
millions  of  livres.  The  place  was  fo  ftrong  as  to 
be  called  the  Dunkirk  of  America.*  In  order  to 
reduce  this  town,  governor  Shirley  folicited  and 
obtained  naval  alliftance  from  England.  The 
forces  employed  by  MafTachufetts  confided  of  up- 
wards  of  three  thoufand  two  hundred  of  their 
own  men.  The  colonies  of  New-Hampfhire  and 
Rhode-Hland  furnifhed  each  three  hundred  ;  and 
Connecticut  five  hundred.  New-York  fent  a  fup- 
ply  of  artillery,  and  Pennfylvania  of  provifions. 

WILLIAM  PEPPERELL,  Efq.  of  Kittery,  a  ret 
peclable  merchant,  and  a  colonel  cf  the  militia, 
was  appointed  to  command  the  land  forces  in  this 
expedition.  They  were  joined  by  a  fmall  fquad- 
ron,  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Warren. 
THE  final  refolution  for  this  enterprize  againfl 
Louiibpurg,  was  carried  but  by  the  majority  of 
one.  After  they  had  embarked,  the  hearts  of 
many  began  to  fail.  Some  repented  that  they 
had  voted  for  the  expedition,  or  promoted  it ;  and 
the  moft  thoughtful  were  involved  in  the  greateft 
perplexity.! 

1745.      TOWARDS  the  end  of  the  month  of  April,  Com- 

^^^  modore  Warren  arrived    from  the   Weft-Indies, 

with  a  fixty-four  gun  (hip,  and  two  of  forty.     He 

was  Toon  after  joined  by  another   of  forty,  which 

had  reached  Canfo  a  moit  time  before.     The  men 

*    Modern  Univerjai  Uijlery,  Co!  XiX.  p.  340. 
•f-  Belknap,   Vol. ,//.  ^.214.     Prince's  'I bank/giving  Sermon^  In 
l/4S»  P-   22  —  25. 


NE  W.ENGLAND. 

of  war  failed  immediately  to  cruife  before  Louif- '  1 745. 
bourg.  The  forces  foon  followed,  and  landed  at 
Chapeaurouge-Bay,  the  laft  day  of  .April.  The 
tranfports  were  difccvered  froth  the  town  early  in 
the  morning,  which  gave  the  inhabitants  the  firft 
knowledge  of  the  defign. 

THE  fecond  day  after  landing,  four  hundred 
men  marched  round  behind  the  hills,  to  the  nonh- 
ead part  of  the  harbor,  in  the  night ;  where  they 
burned  the  warehoufes  containing  the  naval  ftores« 
The  clouds  of  thick  fmoke,  proceeding  from 
pitch,  tar,  and  other  combuflibles,  driven  by  the 
wind  into  the  great  battery,  terrified  the  French 
to  fuch  a  degree,  that  they  abandoned  it,  and  re- 
tired to  the  city,  after  having  fpiked  the  guns, 
and  thrown  their  powder  into  a  well.  The  hard- 
fliips  of  the  fiege  were  without  parrallel  in  ail  pre- 
ceding American  operations.  The  army  was  em- 
ployed for  fourteen  nights,  fucceflively,  in  draw- 
ing cannon,  mortars,  &c.  for  two  miles  through  a 
morafs  to  their  camp.  The  Americans  were  yok- 
ed together,  and  performed  labor  beyond  the 
power  of  oxen  ;  which  labor  could  be  done  only 
in  the  night,  or  in  a  foggy  day  ;  the  place  being 
within  clear  view  and  random  mot  of  the  enemy's 
walls. 

WHILST  the  forces  were  bufily  employed  en 
/here,  the  men  of  war  and  other  velTels  were  cruif- 
ing  off  the  harbor,  as  often  as  the  weather  would 
permit.  On  the  igth  of  May  they  captured, 
chiefly  by  the  addrefs  of  the  gallant  Capt.  Roust 


2oS  H  I  S  T  O  II  Y    OF 

1745.  a  Maffachufetts  naval  officer,  the  Vigilant,  a  French 
fixty-gun  fhip,  having  560  men  on  board,  and  a 
great  variety  of  military  (lores  for  the  relief  of  the 
garrifon.* 

THE  capture  of  the  Vigilant  threw  the  enemy 
into  great  perturbation.  This  event,  with  the 
erection  of  a  battery  on  the  high  cliff  at  the  light- 
houfe,  under  the  direction  of  Lieut.  Col.  Gridley, 
by  which  the  ifland  battery  was  much  annoyed, 
and  the  preparations  which  were  evidently  making 
for  a  general  aiTault,  determined  Ducharnbon,  the 
French  officer,  to  furrender ;  and  accordingly, 
on  the  i7th  of  June,  he  capitulated.! 

UPON  entering  the  fortrefs,  and  viewing  its 
ftrength,  and  the  plenty  and  variety  of  its  means 
of  defence,  the  mod  courageous  were  appalled, 
and  the  impracticability  of  carrying  it  by  ailault 
was  fully  demonfl rated. 

As  this  was  a  time,  when  vefTels  were  expected 
from  all  parts  at  Louifbourg,  the  French  flag  was 
kept  flying  as  a  decoy.  Two  Eaft-Indiamen,  and 
one  South-fea  fhip,  eftimated  at  600,000  1.  ilerling, 
were  taken  by  the  fquadron  at  the  mouth  of  the 
harbor,  into  which  they  failed  as  ufoal,  not  know- 
ing that  the  place  had  furrendered  to  the  Englim« 

THE  weather  was  remarkably  fine  during  the 
fiege  ;  but  the  rains  began  the  day  after  the  fur- 
render,  and  continued  ten  days  incefTantly,  which 

*   Gordon,  fol.  I.  p.  113. 

•j-  See  letters  relating  to  the  expedition  again  ft  Cape  Pretax  t  in 
tic  Collections  of  the.  Majjachujelts  Hijlorical  Society,  f'oL  L  Set 
alfa  Beiknapi  f '?/,//./>,  221,  22?. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  209 

undoubtedly  have  proved  fetal  to  the  expe-  1745. 
dition,  had  not  the  capitulation  prevented-  v-nrsj 

THE  religious  inhabitants  of  New-England  con- 
templated with  pious  gratitude  the  remarkable  in- 
terpofitions  of  divine  Providence,  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  this  town  5  and  the  almofi  miraculous  pre- 
fervation  of  the  army  from  defiruction. 

THE  news  of  this  important  viclory  oecafioned 
great  rejoicings  in  America,  and  filled  Europe  with 
aftonifhment.  The  enterprizing  fpirit  of  New- 
England  gave  a  ferious  alarm  to  thofe  jealous 
fears,  which  had  long  predicted  the  independence 
of  the  colonies*  Great  pains  were  taken  in  Eng- 
land to  afcribe  all  the  glory  to  the  navy,  and  de- 
preciate the  merit  of  the  army-  However,  Pep- 
perell  received  the  title  of  a  baronet,  as  well  as 
Warren.  The  latter  was  promoted  to  be  an  ad* 
miral ;  the  former  had  a  commiHion  as  colonel 
in  the  Britifh  eftablifhment,  and  was  empowered  to 
raife  a  regiment  in  America,  to  be  in  the  pay  of 
the  crown.  The  fame  emolument  was  given  to 
Shirley  j  and  both  he  and  Wentworth  acquired  fo 
much  reputation  as  to  be  confirmed  in  their  places. 
And  after  much  difficulty  and  delay,  parliament 
reimburfed  the  colonies  for  their  expences.* 

WHILST  the  Britifh  colonies,  elated  by  fuccefs, 
planned  a  new  expedition  againft  Canada,  the  lofs 
of  Loui(bourg  ftimulated  the  French  to  revenge, 

IN  the  iubfequent  year  a  very  formidable  French  1 746. 
fleet  failed  for  the  American  coaft,  under  the  ccmv 

Vol  lip.  21$. 
C  c 


210  HISTORY    OF 

1 746.  mand  of  the  Duke  d*  An-ville,  a  nobleman  of  abil- 
ity  and  courage.  This  was  the  mod  powerful  ar- 
mament ever  fent  into  North-America,  having 
twenty  men  of  war,  an  hundred  tranfports,  about 
eight  thoufand  difciplined  troops,  with  veteran 
officers,  and  all  kinds  of  military  (lores.  It  was 
fuppofed  that  the  French  government  had  formed 
the  defign  of  recovering  Louifbourg,  taking  An- 
napolis, breaking  up  the  fettlements  on  the  eaftern 
coaft  of  MaiTachufetts ;  and  of  diftreffing,  if  not 
attempting  the  conquefl  of  New-England.  On 
this  alarming  occafion,  the  troops  which  were  def- 
tined  for  Canada  found  fufficient  employment  at 
home  ;  and  vigorous  exertions  were  ufed  to  repel 
the  attempts  of  their  enemies.  The  colonies  were 
difappointed  in  their  expectation  of  a  Britifh  fquad- 
ron  for  their  defence  ;  and  their  fituation  appeared 
extremely  dangerous.  They  were,  however,  at 
length  providentially  relieved.  The  French  fleet 
was  vifited  by  fuch  a  mortal  ficknefs,  that  thirteen 
hundred  died  atfea  ;  and  the  greater!  part  of  thofe 
who  remained  were  extremely  weakened  and 
difpirited.  In  addition  to  this  calamity,  the  fleet 
was  difperfed  by  a  violent  temped.  The  com- 
mander, in  defpair,  put  'a  period  to  his  life  by 
poilbn ;  and  the  feeond  in  command  fell  on  his 
(word.  Part  of  the  (hips  were  loft,  and  thofe 
which  efeaped  deftruclion,  were  obliged  to  return 
ftngly  to  France.* 

DR.  Belknap  obferves,  "  Never  was   the  hand 
©f  divine  Providence  more  vifible,    than  on   this 

*  Prixces '? b&nkfgrving  t'*nont  p.   zo. 


NE  W-EN  GLAND.  211 

occafion.      Never  was  a  difappohvtment   more  fe-  1746. 
vere  on  the  fide  of  an  enemy  ;  nor  a  deliverance  ^"^ 
more  complete,  without  human  help,  in  favor  of  this 
country."* 

WHEN  the  alarm  occafioned  by  the  French 
fleet  had  fubfided,  the  feafon  was  .too  far  advanced 
to  profecute  the  expedition  againft  Canada.  Gov- 
ernor ShJrley  was  fo  intent  upon  attacking  Crown- 
Point,  that  he  had  even  propofed  to  march  thither 
in  the  winter,  and  had  the  addrefs  to  draw  the  af- 
fembly  of  Maflachufetts  into  an  approbation  of  his 
project ;  but  the  plan  was  fruftrated  by  the  pru- 
dence of  the  Connecticut  afTembIy?  \vhodeemed 
the  winter  an  improper  feafon  for  fo  great  an  un- 
dertaking, and  deferred  their  affiltance  till  the  en> 
fuing  fpring.  The  termination  of  the  war  prevent- 
ed the  renewal  of  the  plan.  By  the  treaty  of  Aix 
la  Chapelle,  in  1748,  it  was  flipulated,  that  all 
things  mould  be  reitored  on  the  footing  they  were 
before  the  war.f 

No  fooner  were  the  diftreffes  of  war  clofed,  by  1749 
the  renewal  of  peace,  than  the  colonies,  parricu- 
larly  of  New-England,  were  alarmed  with  the  re- 
port of  an  American  Epifcopacy ;  which  it  was 
the  moft  earned  defire  of  Dr.  Thomas  Seeker,  late 
archbifhop  of  Canterbury,  to  aqcomplifh.  The 
colonies  were  oppofed  to  the  introduction  of  Epif- 
copacy ;  becaufe  they  fuppofed  it  would  be  accom- 
panied withfuch  a  degree  of  civil  power,  as  would, 
at  length,  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  other  de- 
nominations.J 

t  !''</!.  77. /.  230,  232.  |  7<W,  />.  254.      J  Gordon. 


12  HISTORY     OF 

7 49«  THE  political  reafon  on  which  the  defign  of  fend- 
ing  bifhops  to  America  was  founded,  was  the  cir- 
cumftance  of  feveral  nonjuring  clergymen,  in  the 
intereft  of  the  Pretender,  having  come  into  the 
country  from  Great-Britain,  whofe  influence  it  was 
neceffary  to  countera£l  and  deflroy.  But  fome 
leading  perfons  in  the  miniflry  being  oppofed  to  it, 
the  projed  was  laid  afide  in  the  cabinet.  Never- 
thelefs,  the  fociety  for  propagating  the  gofpel,  from 
different  views,  took  it  under  their  patronage.* 

IN  order  to  obviate  the  objections  which  they 
fappofed  the  colonies  would  make  to  the  intro- 
duction of  Epifcopacy,  they  dated, 

THAT  the  bifhops  to  be  fent  to  the  colonies 
fliould  not  be  veiled  with  any  authority,  but  that 
of  a  fpiritual  and  ecclefiaftical  nature.  That  this 
authority  fhould  operate  only  on  the  clergy,  and 
not  on  the  laity,  or  diffenters  of  any  denomination. 
That  the  bifhops  mould  not  interfere  with  the 
property  or  privileges,  whether  civil  or  religious, 
of  churchmen  or  diffenters.  That  their  mainte- 
nance mould  not  be  at  the  charge  of  the  colonies ; 
and  that  they  mould  not  be  fettled  in  places  where 
the  government  is  in  the  hands  of  diffenters,  as  in 
New-England.  That  their  authority  mould  extend 
only  to  ordain  clergy  over  Epifcopal  congrega- 
tions ;  to  infpect  the  manners  and  behavior  of  fuch 
clergy,  and  to  confirm  the  members  of  the  church 
of  England.! 

THE  deflgn  of  Introducing  bifhops  in   America, 
was,  however,  laid  afide  at  this  period. 

*  Minct,  p.  136.     f  Ibid,  p.    137. 


NEW -ENGLAND.  213 

THIS  year  Benning  Wentworth,  governor  of  1749. 
New-Hampfhire,  made  a  grant  to  that  colony  of  a 
townfhip  fix  miles  fqijare3  by  the  name  of  Benning- 
ton,  in  allunon  to  his  own  name.  For  the  fpace 
of  four  or  five  years,  he  made  feveral  other  grants 
on  the  weft  fide  of  Connecticut  river.  The  appli- 
cation for  new  grants  was  fufpended  for  a  time,  in 
eonfequence  of  the  war  between  France  and  the 
Britifh  colonies,  which  will  be  briefly  related  in 
fubfequent  chapter.* 

*  William?  Hijlory  of  Vermont  t  p,  2x2. 


^®P^F 


2I4  HISTORY   OF 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

Revival  of  the  difputes  between  the  French  and  Br'rf- 
t/b  colonies.  Congrefs  appointed.  They  form  a 
flan  of  union ,  which  is  rejected.  Of  the  four  ex- 
f  editions  againft  the  French.  Mr.  Pitt  appointed 
prime  minifter.  American  affairs  wear  a  more 
favorable  afpecl.  Louifbourg  taken.  Several 
French  forts  are  reduced.  Defeat  cf  the  Englifo 
troops  at  Ticondercga. 


T 


HE  treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  had 
terminated  none  of  the  controverted  points  be- 
tween the  French  and  Englifh  concerning  the  lim- 
its of  their  refpe&ive  colonies.  To  accornplifh 
this  purpofe,  commifli  oners  were  mutually  chofen. 
Thefe  commiflioners  met  at  Paris,  but  came  to 
no  decinon.  The  French  were  in  pofTefnon  of  all 
Canada,  had  fettlements  in  Louifiana,  and  they 
meditated  to  join  thefe  diftant  colonies,  by  a  chain 
of  forts  and  pofts  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the 
MirTifippi,  and  to  extend  the  limits  of  Canada 
as  far  eaftward  as  to  command  navigation  in  the 
winter,  when  the  great  river  St.  Lawrence  is  im- 
palTable.  Thefe  claims  of  territory  were  a  fubjecl: 
of  complaint  to  the  Englilh  and  Americans,  and 
threatened  to  revive  the  flames  of  war.* 

«  Bettnap,   Vol.  U.  p.  2 84. 


NEW- ENGLAND.  215 

IN  this  alarming  crifis  of  affairs,  a  Congrefs  was  1754. 
held  at  Albany,  confiding  of  delegates  from 
Maflachufetts,  New-Hampfhire,  Rhode-Ifland, 
Connecticut,  Pennfylvania  and  Maryland ;  with 
the  lieutenant-governor,  and  council  of  New- York. 
One  member  from  each  colony  was  appointed,  to 
draw  a  plan  of  union.  The  fubdance  of  this 
plan  was,  that  application  be  made,  for  an  ad:  of 
parliament,  to  form  a  grand  council,  confiding  of 
delegates  from  the  feveral  legiilative  afTemblies,  fub- 
jed  to  the  control  of  a  prefident-general,  to  be 
appointed  by  the  crown,  with  a  negative  voice. 
That  this  council  fliould  enad  general  laws  ;  appor- 
tion the  quotas  of  men  and  money,  to  be  raifed  by 
each  colony  ;  determine  the  building  of  forts,  reg- 
ulate the  operation  of  armies,  and  concert  all 
meafures  for  the  common  protection  and  fafety. 
The  delegates  of  Connecticut  alone,  entered  their 
diffent  to  the  plan,  becaufe  of  the  negative  voice  of 
the  prefident-general.  "  It  is,"  fays  Dr.  Belknap, 
<c  worthy  of  remark,  that  this  plan  for  the  union  of 
the  colonies  was%  agreed  to,  on  the  fourth  day  of 
July  ;  exactly  twenty-two  years  before  the  declar- 
ation of  American  independence  ;  and  that  the 
name  of  Franklin  appears  in  both."* 

THIS  plan  of  union  was  rejected  in  America, 
becaufe  it  was  fuppofed  to  put  too  much  power  in- 
to the  hands  of  the  king  ;  and  it  was  rejected  in 
England,  becaufe  it  was  thought  to  give  too  much 
authority  to  the  afiemblies  of  the  colonies.  The 

*  Belknap,  Vol.  U.p.  286.     Minot,  p.  191. 


2*6  HISTORY    OF 

1754.  mrm(t?y  made  another  propofa!,  that  the  governor, 
^^^  with  one  or  two  members  of  the  council  of  each 

colony,  mould  afTemble,  and  confult  for  the  com- 
mon defence,  and  draw  on  the  Britifh  treafury  for 
the  fums  expended,  which  mould  be  raifed  by  a 
general  tax,  laid,  by  parliament,  on  the  colonies, 
But  this  was  not  a  time  to  pufh  fach  an  alarm- 
ing innovation,  and  when  it  was  found  impractica- 
ble, the  mini  (try  determined  to  employ  their  own 
troops  to  fight  their  battles  in  America,  rather  than 
to  let  their  colonies  feel  their  own  ftrength,  and  be 
directed  by  their  own  cournels.; 

As  it  was  necelfary  to  draw  aid,  from  the  colo- 
nies, they  refolrved  to  permit  theif  militia  to  ferve 
inferior  offices  j  but  Britifh  troops,  commanded  by 
Britifli  officers^  mult  have  the  honor  of*  reducing 
the  French  dominions  in  North-America.* 

THE  depredations  of  the  French  and  their  In- 
dian allies  rendered  it  neceflary  to  drive  them  from 
the  Ohio.  The  reduclicn  of  Niagara,  Crown- 
Point,  and  their  forts  in  Nova -Scotia,  was  alfo  re* 
folved  upoiuf 

1755.  ALTHOUGH  the  war  xvas  not  yet  formally  de- 
clared,  General  Braddock   was  fent  from  Ireland 
to   Virginia,  with  two  regiments   of  foot;   when 
joined,  upon  his  arrival,  by  the  provincial  troops, 
he  found  himfelf  at   the  head  of  2200  men*     He 
was  a  brave  officer,  but  deficient  in  many  qualifi- 
cations neeeilary  for  the  fervice   to  which  he  was 
appointed.      The   feverity  of  his  difeipline  made 

f;  /X  //,  p.  287.       f  Wynne,  Vol.  U,  f.  4?. 


'NEW-ENGLAND.  217 

him  unpopular  among   the   regulars.      His   pride  1755. 
and  haughtinefs  induced  him  to  defpife   the  coun- 
try  militia,  and  to  flight  the  advice  of  the  Virginia 
officers.* 

COL.  Walhington  (who  began  to  exhibit  thofe 
great  abilities,  which  fo  eminently  di(linguiflied 
him  at  a  future  period)  was  then  aid-de-camp  to 
General  Braddock.  When  the  army  was  march- 
ing for  Fort-du-<)uefne,  he  earneftly  begged  the 
general  to  admit  of  his  preceding  the  Britim  regu- 
lars, and  fcouring  the  woods  with  his  rangers. 
This  was  contemptuoufly  refufed.  The  general 
had  been  cautioned  by  the  Duke  of  Cumberland, 
and  his  own  officers,  to  guard  againft  a  furprize, 
and  yet  he  pulhed  on  heedlefsly  with  the  firft  divi- 
fion,  confiding  of  1400  men,  till  he  fell  into  an 
ambufcade  of  four  hundred,  chiefly  Indians,  by 
whom  he  was  defeated,  and  mortally  wounded. 
The  regulars  were  put  into  the  greateft  panic,  and 
fled  in  the  utmoil  confufion.  The  militia  were 
accuflomed  to  Indian  fighting,  and  v/cre  not  ter- 
rified to  fuch  a  degree.  The  general  had  difdain- 
fully  turned  them  into  the  rear,  where  they  con- 
tinued in  a  body  unbroken,  -and  under  the  conduct 
of  Col.  Wafhington,  ferved  as  a  moft  ufeful  reafr 
guard,  covered  the  retreat  of  the  Britiih  troops, 
and  prevented  their  being  entirely  cut  off.f 

PREVIOUSLY  to  the  defeat  of  General  Braddock, 
the  MaiTachufetts  aifembly  raifed  a  bpdy  of  troops 

*  #>»«,    Vol.  II.  p.   45.      f  EnticPs   General  Hiflory  oftbt 
French  Wart  VvL  L  p.  143,   144.     Wynntt  r'ol.  II.  f,  4!,  42. 

D  d 


2i$  HISTORY    OF 

1755.  who  were  difpatched  to  Nova-Scotia,  to  afiift 
^^  lieutenant-governor  Lawrence  in  expelling  the 
French  from  their  feveral  encroachments  in  that 
province.  This  expedition  was  undertaken  and 
conduced  at  the  expence  of  the  crown  -9  and  the 
command  given  to  lieutenant-colonel  Monckton  j. 
but  the  Mafiachufetts  forces  acled  as  a  diftinct  body, 
under  their  own  officers,  with  a  promife  of  the 
fame  pay,  and  being  treated  in  every  refpccl  as 
others  in  the  fame  Her  vice.  The  fecrecy  and  dif- 
patch  ufed  in  this  expedition  were  rewarded  with 
fuccefs.* 

GOVERNOR  Shirley  commanded  the  expedition 
againft  Niagara.  Part  of  the  troops  devoted  to  the 
execution  of  this  fcheme  did  not  arrive  till  the  fea- 
fon  was  fo  far  advanced,  that  it  was  unanimoufly 
agreed  to  defer  the  attempt  till  die  fubiequent 
year. 

COLONEL,  afterwards  Sir  William,  Johnfon,  was 
appointed  to  go  againft  Crown-Point.  The  flow- 
nefs  and  deficiency  of  preparations,  prevented  the 
feveral  colonies  joining  their  troops  till  about 
Aiiguft.  Meanwhile  the  active  enemy,  having 
tranfported  forces  from  France  to  Canada,  march- 
ed down  to  meet  the  provincials,  and  attacked 
them  ;  but  being  lepulfed,  they  loft  fix  hundred 
men,  befides  having  their  general,  B'aron  Dieikau, 
wounded  and  made  prifoner. 

'£757*      THIS  year  war  was   formally  declared   againft 
France  j  and  Mai&chufetts   raifed   a  great  arma- 

*  Mind,  f.  217, 


NEW-EN  GLAND.  219 

ftient  to  attack  Crown-Point.  Lord  London,  who  1757* 
at  this  period  was  commander  in  chief  of  ihe  Brit-  ^^^ 
Hh  forces  in  North- America,  did  not  think  proper 
that  the  troops  mould  proceed,  tili  the  American 
army  was  reinforced*  This  delay  gave  the  enemy 
time  to  ftrengthen  Crown-Point,  to  recruit  and  ie- 
frefh  their  forces,  and  to  improve  fome  fuccefs, 
which  had  lately  attended  their  military  move- 
ments. In  the  courfe  of  the  year,  the  French  re- 
ceived a  reinforcement  of  near  three  thoufand  men, 
under  the  command  of  General  Montcalm,  an  of* 
ficer  of  fuperior  talents  from  Europe.* 

THE  Englifh  miaiflry  were  greatly  diiTatisfied 
with  the  condud  of  the  war  in  America  ;  Lord 
Loudon  was  recalled,  and  the  chief  command  de- 
volved upon  General  Abecrormbie. 

AT  this  period  American  affairs  began  to  af-  1758. 
fume  a  more  favorable  afpe£L  Happily  for 
the  Britifh  nation  the  great  Mr.  Pitt,  after- 
wards Earl  of  Chatham,  was  placed  at  the  head 
of  the  miniftry.  The  people  of  England  confided 
in  him  for  the  falvation  of  their  country.  His  ad- 
miniflration  united  all  parties,  and  reftored  fuch 
order,  unanimity  and  decifion  to  the  public  coun- 
cils, that  the  force  of  tha  empire  was  directed 
with  fuccefs  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe.f 

THE  reduction  of  Loui&ourg,  which  had  been 
reflored  to  the  French  by  the  treaty  of  Aix  la 
Chapelle.  was  undertaken  with  enthufiafm  and  zeal, 
and  was  effected  by  the  fpirited  exertions  of  the 

*   Entick,   F.il    /.  p    494.   49J. 
|  lift  oftkt  £*rl  QfQjutbw,  p.  6|,  69,   70, 


HISTORY    OF 

1758.  fea  and  land  forces,  under  Admiral  Bofcawcn  and 
General  Amherft.  Five  or  fix  fhips  of  the  line  were 
taken.  The  French  governor,  finding  it  impofli- 
ble  to  fupport  an  aflault,  furrendered  by  capitula- 
tion. Here  the  brave  General  Wolfe,  who  after- 
wards afted  fo  diftinguifhed  a  part  at  Quebec, 
difplayed  his  eminent  military  abilities.* 

IN  the  mean  time  the  military  operations  on  the 
continent  were  conduced  with  equal  vigor.  Fronte- 
jiac  and  Fort-durQuefne  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Britifh  ;  acquifitions  which  overbalanced  the  check 
\vhich  they  had  received  at  Ticonderoga,  where  Ge* 
neral  Abercrombie  was  defeated,  and  a  confiderable 
number  killed  and  wounded,  \vbilft  attacking  the 
lines  in  that  place. 

THE  profperous  events  of  this  year,  however, 
opened  a  pleafing  profpecl  of  fuccefs  to  the  Britifh 
and  Americans,  and  encouraged  and  animated  them 
to  vigorous  exertions  to  e^pel  the  French  from 
their  pofleffions  in  the  new  world. 

*   It'jnng,  Vol.  II.  j>.  So, 


NEW- ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

fo?  war  againft  the  French  profecuted  with  'Vigor 
and  fuccefs.  Of  the  reduction  of  Fort  Niagara. 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown-Point  evacuated.  £ue* 
bee  taken  by  the  Englijh  after  a  fevcre  battle,  in 
which  the  Generals  Wolfe  and  Mont  calm  are  killed. 
Character  of  General  Wolfe.  All  Canada  conquer- 
ed by  the  Briti/h  and  American  arms.  Several 
eft  he  French  i/lands-fufydued.  General  p 


A 


T  the  opening  of  this  year,  the  1759 
Britifli  miniftry  ufed  the  mod  vigorous  exertions 
to  reduce  the  French  dominions  in  North-Ameri- 
ca. Preparations  were  made,  and  expeditions 
brought  forward  againft  three  different  parts  at  the 
fame  period.  General  Wolfe  was  to  proceed  up 
the  river  St.  Lawrence,  with  a  body  of  eight  thou- 
fand  men,  and  a  ftrong  fquadron  of  (hips  from 
England,  to  befiege  Quebec,  the  capital  of  the 
French  dominions  in  America,  and  the  central 
point  of  the  Britifh  operations.  General  Amherft, 
the  commander  in  chief,  at  the  head  of  twelve 
thoufand  troops,  was  to  reduce  Ticonderoga  and 
Crov*n-Point,  then  crofs  lake  Ghamplain,  and, 
proceeding  along  the  banks  of  the  river  Richlieu, 
to  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  join  General  Wolfe 
before  (Quebec.  Brigadier-General  Prideaux*,  with 
a.  third  body  of  troops,  affifted  by  a  conliderable 


222  HI  ST  O  R  Y    O  F 

1759.  number  of  Indians,  aflernbled  by  the  influence, 
and  under  the  command  of  Sir  William  Johnfon, 
had  orders  to  attack  a  French  fort  near  the  cataract 
of  Niagara,  which,  in  a  manner  commanded  all 
the  interior  parts  of  North-America,  and  was  a 
key  to  the  whole  continent. * 

THE  lad  named  expedition  was  the  nrfr  which 
fucceeded.  General  Prideaux,  with  his  army, 
advanced  to  the  cataraQ  of  Niagara,  without  meet- 
ing with  the  lead  obftruftion,  and,  invefting  the 
fort  about  the  middle  of  July,  carried  on  his  ap- 
proaches with  great  vigor,  till  the  soth  of  that 
month,  when,  vifiting  the  trenches,  he  was  unfor- 
tunately killed  by  the  burfting  of  a  mortar.  After 
his  death,  the  whole  command  of  the  expedition  de* 
volved  upon  General  Johnfon,  who  omitted 
nothing  to  bring  forward  the  fpirited  operations  of 
his  predeceflbr.  A  body  of  French  troops,  who 
were  fenfible  of  the  importance  of  this  fort,  at- 
tempted to  relieve  jt ;  but  Johnfon  attacked  them 
with  intrepidity  and  fuccefs,  fo  tbiat  in  lefs  than  an 
hour  their  whole  army  was  defeated.  The  garri* 
fon,  foon  after  perceiving  the  fate  of  their  coun- 
trymen, furrendered  prilbners  of  war. 

THE  fucceis  of  General  Amherit  was, lefs  fplen- 
did,  though  not  lefs  ferviceable.  On  his  arrival 
before  Ticonderoga,  the  French  firft  appeared  de- 
termined to  defend  the  place  j  but  finding  the 
Knglilh  general  prudent,  refolute,  and  acquainted 
•with  the  ilrength  of  their  forces,  they  abandoned 


N  £  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  fir. 

this  ftrong  poft,  and  retired  to  Crown-Point,  which,  1759. 
from  fimilar  motives,  they  were  foon  after  induced 
to  evacuate.* 

THERE  now,  therefore,  remained  but  one  grand 
and  decifive  blow,  to  put  all  North- America  into 
the  poffeffion  of  the  Englifh.  This  was  the  taking 
cf  Quebec,  the  capital  of  Canada,  a  city  handfome- 
ly  built,  populous  and  flourifning.  Admiral  Saun* 
ders  was  appointed  to  command  the  naval  part  of 
this  expedition.  The  fiege  by  land  was  committed 
to  the  conduct  of  General  Wolfe,  of  whom  the  na- 
tion had  great  expectations.  This  young  foldier, 
who  was  not  yet  thirty-five,  had  diflinguifhed  him- 
felf  on  many  former  occafions  ;  .and  without  being 
indebted  to  family  or  connexions,  had  raifed  foimfelf 
by  merit  to  his  prefent  command. f 

THIS  enterprize  was  attended  with  a  combina- 
tion of  formidable  difficulties.  General  Wolfe 
was  oppofed,  with  far  fuperior  force,  by  the  Mar- 
quis de  Montcahn,  the  mod  brave  and  fuccefsful 
general  the  French  porTefTecL  Though  the  fitua- 
tion  of  the  country  which  Wolfe  was  to  attack, 
and  the  works  which  the  French  erected,  to  pre- 
vent the  defcent  of  the  Englifh,  were  deemed  im- 
pregnable, yet  Montcalm  never  relaxed  in  his  vigi- 
lance. The  city  of  Quebec  was  ftrongjy  fortified, 
fecured  with  a  numerous  garrifon,  and  plentifully 
fupplied  with  provifions  and  ammunition.  The 
French  army  confided  of  upwards  of  twelve  thou- 
fand  men,  exclufive  of  large  bodies  of  Indians.  J 

*  Wvine*  Vol.  JL  p.  qg.      -\-  GoMfmitvs  HijJory  ofExglanti,}* 
348.     t  Eatift,  Folt  IF.  p.  96. 


224  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1759;  WITH  this  force,  Montcalm  took  the  field, 
and  encamped  in  a  very  advantageous  fituation. 
The  troops  extended  along  the  more  of  Beauport, 
from  the  river  St.  Charles  to  the  falls  of  Montmor- 
ency,  and  were  entrenched  in  every  acceflible  place, 
with  the  river  and  fand-banks  in  front,  and  im- 
practicable  woods  in  the  rear.  The  poft  was  not 
t>nly  impregnable,  but  it  enabled  the  enemy,  when- 
ever  they  pleafed,  to  throw  fuccours  into  the  city. 
THE  only  profpecl:  of  attempting  the  town  with 
fuccefs,  was  by  landing  a  body  of  troops  in  the 
night  above  the  town,  who  were  to  aicend  the 
banks  of  the  river,  and  take  poilefTion  of  the 
ground  on  the  back  of  the  city.  This  attempt, 
however,  appeared  peculiarly  difcouraging.  The 
flream  was  rapid,  the  (bore  flielving,  the  bank  above 
lined  with  centinels,  the  landing  place  fo  narrow 
as  to  be  eafily  milled  in  the  dark,  and  the  fteepnefs 
of  the  ground,  fuch  as  hardly  to  be  furmounted  in 
the  day  time.  Thefe  formidable  difficulties  were 
overcome  by  the  conduct  of  the  general,  and  the 
bravery  of  his  troops.  Col.  Howe,  with  the  light 
infantry  and  the  Highlanders,  afcended  the  woody 
precipices  with  admirable  courage  and  activity,  and 
diflodged  a  ftnall  body  of  troops  that  defended  a 
narrow  path-way  up  the  bank.  Having  cleared 
the  path,  they  gained  the  top  of  the  hill  without 
further  interruption.  As  fzift  as  they  afcended  they 
formed  themfelves,  fo  that  the  whole  army  was  in 
order  of  battle  by  day-break.* 

*   ttjmg.,  Fol.  II.  p.  itl.     Gotymitl,  p.  349. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  225 

MONSIEUR  de  Montcalm,  the  French  command-  1759. 
er,  was  no  fooner  apprized  that  the  Englifh  had 
gained  theie  heights,  which  he  hud  confidently 
deemed  inacceflible,  than  he  refoived  to  hazard  a 
battle ;  and  a  furious  encounter  quickly  began. 
This  was  one  of  the  molt  defperate  engagements 
during  the  war.  The  Englifh  withstood  the  at- 
tacks of  their  enemies  with  the  greateft  intrepidi- 
ty and  firmnefs*  Having  been  ordered  to  load 
with  double  ball,  they  poured  in  a  terrible  dif- 
charge,  and  continued  their  fire  with  fuch  delibe- 
ration and  fpirit,  that  the  French  gave  way,  and 
fled  with  precipitation*  The  Marquis  de  Mont- 
calm  was  {lain  ;  and  the  fecond  in  command  fliar- 
ed  the  fame  fate.  General  Wolfe  was  flationed 
on  the  right,  where  the  attack  was  moft  warm  ; 
and  Handing  confpicuous  in  the  front  line,  had 
been  aimed  at  by  the  enemy's  markfmen,  and  at 
laft  received  a  fhot  in  the  wrift,  which,  however, 
did  not  oblige  him  to  quit  the  field.  Having 
wrapped  an  handkerchief  round  his  arm,  he  con- 
tinued giving  orders  without  the  lead  emotion, 
and  advanced  at  the  head  of  the  grenadiers  with 
their  bayonets  fixed  ;  but  a  fecond  ball,  more  fa- 
tal, pierced  the  bread  of  this  young  hero,  juft  as. 
the  French  began  to  retreat.  Unable  to  proceed, 
he  leaned  on  the  fhoulder  of  a  lieutenant,  who  was 
next  him.  Now  ftruggling  in  the  agonies  of 
death,  and  juft  expiring,  he  heard  a  voice  cry, 
4 'they  run!"  upon  which  he  feemcd  for  a  mo- 
ment to  revive,  arid  aflcing  who  ran,  was  inform- 


226  KISTORYOF 

1759.  ed  cc  the  French."  Expreffing  his  wonder  that 
they  ran  fo  foon,  and  unable  to  gaze  any  longer, 
he  funk  on  the  officer's  breaft,  and  his  lad  words 
were,  "  I  thank  God,  I  die  happy. "* 

BaiGADiER-general  Monckton,  the  fecond  Eng- 
lifh  officer,  was  dangeroufly  wounded,  while 
emulating  the  courage  of  his  predecefibr.  The 
chief  command  devolved  upon  General  Town- 
fend,  who  completed  the  defeat  of  the  French. 
Quebec  furrende red  by  capitulation  to  the  Englifh, 
after  a  fevere  campaign  of  three  months. 

THIS  important  victory  was  gained  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  fixty-one  men  killed,  including  nine  of- 
ficers ;  and  of  five  hundred  and  ninety-eight 
wounded.  The  death  of  General  Wolfe  was  a  na- 
tional lofs  ;  and  unrverfally  lamented.  He  poiTef- 
fed  a  genius  of  the  tirlt  rank  in  the  military  line, 
and  was  the  pattern  of  the  officer,  and  delight  of 
the  foldier.  He  was  generous,  affable  and  hu- 
mane j  and  added  the  amiable  virtues  to  his  mili- 
tary greatnefs.  His  conflitutional  courage  was 
uniform  and  daring  ;  and  he  poiTeifed  a  ftrength, 
ileadinefs  and  aclivity  of  mind,  which  no  dangers 
could  difcourage.  In  the  expedition  againil  Que- 
bec, his  abilities  flione  with  the  brightefi;  lufire. 
Notwithflanding  the  great  fuperioriiy  of  num- 
bers, the  unforefeen  difficulties  from  the  nature  of 
the  firuation,  the  flrength  of  the  place,  and  his  own 
bad  ftate  of  health,  he  perfevered  with  indefatiga- 
ble induftry  in  forming  and  executing  that  dan- 

*  EnticJt.   t'ol  Jff\     Wynne,  VoL  II,  p,   123. 
549.    U*ivfr;aftiyior?t  'tro/.  XIX. 


NEW-E  NGL  AND.  227 

gerous  and   important  plan,  which  caufed  the  de-  1759. 
feat  of  the  French ;  and   will   forever  denominate 
faim  the  Conqueror  of  Canada.* 

THE  fubfequent  feafon  the  French  made  a  vig-  I7°"°* 
orous  effort  to  retake  Quebec  ;    but  by  the  refolu-  **or^ 
tion   of  governor  Murray,   and  the  appearance  of 
an  Englifli  fleet,  under  the  command  of  Lord  Col- 
vilie,  they  were  rendered  unable  to  profecute   the 
enterprize. 

THE  whole  province  of  Canada  was  fbon  after 
reduced  by  the  prudence  and  activity  of  General 
Amherft,  who  obliged  the  French  army  to  capit- 
ulate. It  has  fmce  remained  annexed  to  the  Brit- 
ifh  empire.f 

To  thefe  conquefts,  about  the  fame  time,  was 
added  the  reduction  of  the  iiland  of  Guadaloupe, 
under  Commodore  Moore  and  General  Hopfon, 
an  acquifition  of  great  importance ;  but  which 
was  reftored  at  the  general  peace. 

THIS  year   Martinico   was  taken   by    Admiral  1762. 
Rodney  and   General    Monckton,    and    alfo   the  ^^ 
iflands  of  Grenada,  St.  Vincents  and  others.     The 
capture  of  thefe  iflands  was  followed  by  the  fur- 
render  of  the  liavannah,   the  capital  of  the  iiland 
of  Cuba. 

THE  fuccefs,  which  attended  the  Britiih  army  in     - 
the  Weft-India  ifland?,  terminated  the  war.     The 
fubfequent  year  a  definitive    treaty  of  peace   was  1763. 
concluded  at   Paris  between  Great-Britain,  France 
and  Spain.      By  this  treaty,   the  Englifh  ceded  to 
the  French  feveral  iilands,  which  had  been  taken 

*  Eatiik.     tfynne,  Vol.  IL  p.  126*      f  Gff/#«///6,  p.  50. 


223  HISTO  R  Y    OF 

1763.  from  them  in  the  Weft-Indies.  Yet  the  whole 
continent  of  North-America  was  left  in  the  pof- 
fcfiion  of  the  Britifh  crown.* 

DURING  the  war,  the  colonies  in  general,  and 
the  Maffachufetts  in  particular,  complied  with  the 
requifitions  of  the  Britifh  minifter,  and  exhibited  a 
readincfs  to  fupport-  his  plans  for  the  reduction  of 
the  French  power.  Many  of  the  feveral  privates 
who  gained  fuch  laurels,  by  their  fmgular  bravery 
on  the  plains  of  Abraham,  when  Wolfe  died  in  the 
arms  of  viclory,  were  natives  of  Maflachufetts. 
When  Martinico  was  attacked,  in  1761,  and  the 
Britifh  force  was  greatly  weakened  by  ficknefs  and 
death,  the  timely  arrival  of  the  New-England 
troops,  enabled  the  former  to  profecute  the  reduc- 
tion of  that  ifland  with  fuccefs.  They  alfo  arrived 
at  the  Havannah  at  a  critical  period,  and  by  their 
junction  with  the  Britifh,  facilitated  the  conqueft 
of  that  place.  Their  fidelity,  activity  and  courage 
were  fuch  as  to  gain  the  approbation  and  confi- 
dence of  the  Britifh  officers.! 

IN  the  profecution  of  the  war,  the  advantages 
which  Great-Britain  derived  from  her  colonies 
were  feverely  felt  by  her  enemies.  Upwards  of 
four  hundred  privateers,  which  were  fitted  out  of 
the  ports  of  the  Britifh  colonies,  fuccefsfully  attack- 
ed the  French  commerce.  Theie  not  only  ravag- 
ed the  Weft-India  iflands,  belonging  to  his  inoft 
ChrifUan  Majefty,  but  made  many  captures  on  the 
coaft  of  France.  Befides  diftrefling  the  French 

*  Wynne,  VoL  11.  p.    149.      f  Gordon,  Vol.  I.  p.    137,   146, 


N'  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  229 

nation  by  privateering,  the  colonies  furniflied 
23,800  men,  to  co-operate  with  the  Britifh  regular 
forces  in  North- America.  The  fuccefs  of  their 
privateers— the  co-operation  of  their  land  forces — 
the  convenience  of  their  harbors,  and  their  con- 
tinuity to  the  Weft-India  iilands,  made  the  colonies 
great  acquisitions  to  Britain,  and  formidable  end* 
.mies  to  France.  From  their  growing  importance 
the  latter  had  much  to  fear.  Their  continued 
union  with  Great-Britain  threatened  the  fubverfion 
of  the  commerce,  and  the  American  poiTeflions  of 
the  French  nation,* 

<c  THIS  war,"  fays  a  late  author,  "  was  one  of 
the  mod  glorious  and  fuccefsful  for  Great-Britain, 
that  had  ever  been  carried  on,  in  any  age,  or  by 
any  nation.  In  the  fpace  of  eight  years  fhe  had 
made  herfelf  miflrefs  of  almoil  the  whole  conti- 
nent of  North- America.  She  had  conquered  twen- 
ty-five iflands,  all  of  them  remarkable  for  their 
magnitude,  their  produce,  or  the  importance  of 
their  utuation.  $he  had  won  by  fea  and  land 
twelve  great  battles  ;  (he  had  reduced  nine  forti- 
fied cities  and  towns,  and  nearly  forty  forts  and 
caitles.  She  had  deflroyed  or  taken  above  an  hun- 
dred fhips  of  war  from  her  enemies,  and  acquired, 
as  it  is  fuppofed,  about  twelve  millions  in  plunder."t 

THOUGH  the  military  glory  of  Great-Britain  rofe 
to  its  highefl  pitch,  yet  the  fame  thence  acquired  was 
bought  at  a  high  price.  The  lives  of  two  hundred 
and  eighty  thoufand  men,  including  a  great  number 

*  Ramfays  Hi  (lory  of  the  American  Revolution,  Vol.  L  p.  4-? 
-{•  Lendrumt  l'olt  L  p.   252 


23o  HIS  TORY    OF 

of  brave  and  able  officers,  an  incredible  quantity  of 
treafure,  and  an  increafe  of  the  national  debt  from 
feventy-two  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  mil- 
lions flerling,  exclufive  of  thirteen  millions  unfund- 
ed.* 

AT  this  period  the  arms  of  Great-Britain  had 
recently  been  fuccefsful  in  every  part  of  the  globe. 
Power,  however,  like  all  things  human,  has  its 
limits  ;  and  there  is  an  elevated  point  of  grand- 
eur which  feems  to  indicate  a  defcent.  The  king- 
doms of  Europe  looked  with  a  jealous  eye  upon 
Britain,  after  the  acquifition  of  fuch  immenfe  pow- 
er and  territory.  A  tide  of  profperity  has  a  fim- 
ilar  efFefl  upon  nations,  as  upon  individuals. 
Hence  the  haughtinefs  of  Britain  was  heightened 
by  her  late  conquefts,  while  the  high  ideas  of  lib- 
erty and  independence  which  were  nurtured  in  the 
colonies  by  their  local  fituation,  and  the  flate  of 
fociety  in  the  new  world,  were  increafed  by  the 
removal  of  hoftile  neighbors.  Thus  prepared,  the 
feeds  of  difcord  were  loon  planted  between  the 
parent  flate  and  the  colonies,  which  fpeedily  fprung 
up  to  the  rending  of  the  empire,  and  reducing 
the  power  and  grandeur  of  the  Britifh  nation* 

f  Encyclopedia  Bril. 


NE  W.ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER   xix. 

State  of  the  colonies  at  the  termination  of  the  Trend) 
'war.  The  fettlement  of  Vermont.  The  college 
founded  at  Pr  evidence ,  in  Rhode- Ifl and.  Of  Dart- 
mouth college.  An  account  of  the  caufes  'which 
produced  the  American  revolution. 

H  E  ftate  of  the  Britifh  colonies,  at 
the  conclufion  of  .the  war,  in  1763,  attracted  the 
attention  of  all  the  politicians  in  Europe.  Their 
fiouriming  condition  at  that  period  was  remarka- 
ble and  ftriking.  Their  trade  had  profpered  in 
the  midft  of  all  the  difficulties  and  diftreffes  of  a 
war,  in  which  they  were  fo  nearly,  and  fo  immedi- 
ately concerned.  Their  population  continued  ad- 
vancing, notwithftanding  the  ravages  and  depreda- 
tions of  the  French  and  their  Indian  allies.  They 
abounded  with  fpirited  and  active  individuals  of  all 
denominations.  They  were  elated  with  the  un- 
common profperity  that  had  attended  them  in 
their  commercial  affairs,  and  military  tranfacliojis. 
Hence  they  were  ready  for  all  kinds  of  undertak- 
ings, and  faw  no  limits  to  their  hopes  and  expec- 
tations.* 

DURING  the  progrefs  of  the  war,  the  New- 
England  troops  cut  a  road  through  Charleftown,  in 
New-Hampmire,  to  Crown-Point.  They  were  fre* 
quently  paffing  through  thefe  lands  ;  and  their 
fertility  and  value  became  generally  known. 

*  Lenarumt  VoL  L  p<  253. 


-HISTORY  OF 

Upon  the  reflation  of  hoftilities,  the}'  were  eagerly 
fought  after  by  adventurers  and  fpeculators.  By 
the  advice  of  his  council,  the  governor  of  New- 
ILunpfhire  directed  a  furvey  to  be  made  of  Con- 
necticut river,  for  fixty  miles ;  and  three  lines  of 
townihips  to  be  laid  out  on  each  fide. 

THE  application  for  lands  conftantly  increafed, 
and  new  furveys  were  made.  So  rapid  was  the 
progrefs,  that  during  the  year  1761,  fixty  town- 
mips,  of  fix  miles  fquare,  were  granted  on  the  weft 
of  Connecticut  river.  The  whole  number  of 
grants,  in  one  or  two  years  more,  amounted  to 
one  hundred  and  thiity-eight,  and  their  extent 
was,  from  Connecticut  river,  to  what  was  efteem- 
ed  eaft  of  Hudfon's  river,  fo  far  as  that  extended 
to  the  northward  ;  and  after  that,  as  far  weft  as 
the  eaftern  more  of  lake  Champlain.  The  cultiva- 
tion of  the  country,  and  the  number  of  the  fet- 
tlers,  increafed  with  furprizing  rapidity.* 

THIS  tra£t  of  country  which  was  called  Ver- 
mont, was  claimed  both  by  New- York  and  New- 
Hampfhire.  The  claim  of  New-York  Was-  found* 
ed  upon  a  grant  which  Charles  II.  in  1664,  and 
1674,  made  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York; 
containing,  among  other  parts  of  America,  "  all 
the  lands  from  the  weft  fide  of  Connecticut 
river,  to  the  eaft  fide  of  Delaware  bay/'  This 
grant  was  inconfiftent  with  the  charters,  which 
hud  previocily  been  given  to  Mafl'achufetts  and 
Co-;  it  ;  and  nchhjr  of  them  admitted  it  to 

a>;  with  regard  to  ti;  .;'  which 


NEW-ENGLAND.  233 

they  had  fettled  or  claimed  to  the  weft  of  Connect 
ticut  river.* 

ON  a  final  fettlement  of  a  difpute  between  Maf- 
fachufetts  and  New-Hampfhire,  the  prefent  jurif- 
di&ional  line  between  Vermont  and  MafTachufetts, 
was  run  and  eftablifhed,  in  the  year  1741.  From 
that  time  until  the  year  1764,  this  territory  was 
confidered  as  lying  within  the  jurifdi&ion  of  New- 
Hampfhire.  During  this  period  numerous  grants 
were  made,  and,  after  the  year  1760,  fome  con- 
fiderable  fettlements  were  begun  under  the  autho- 
rity of  that  province.  In  the  year  1764,  by  order 
of  the  king  of  Britain,  this  territory  was  annexed 
to  New- York.  The  government  of  that  province 
pretended  to  claim  the  right  of  foil  as  well  as  ju- 
rifdi&ion,  and  held  the  grants  formerly  made 
under  New*Hamp(hire  to  be  void.  This  occafion- 
ed  a  long  feries  of  altercation  between  the  fettlers 
-and  claimants  under  New-Hampfhire,  and  the 
government  of  New-York,  and  which,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  late  revolution,  terminated  in 
the  eftablifhment  of  a  feparate  jurifdi&ion  in  the 
prefent  (late  of  Vermont.  A  particular  account 
of  this  controverfy  would  be  inconfiftent  with  the 
brevity  of  this  work.f 

AFTER   the  eftablifhment  of  peace,  the  Amen-  1764. 
can  colonies  increafed  in  knowledge,  as  well  as  in  J 
opulence  and  population.      This  year  a   charter 
was   granted,  by  the  general  aiTembly  of  Rhode- 
liland,  for  founding  a  feminary  of  learning,  by  the 

*  ff'ih'iams,  p.  212.     f  Marie's  Geograpfy)  Vol,  1.  p.  360, 


H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1764.  name  of  the  "  Truftees  and  Fellows  of  the  col- 
lege  or  univerfity  in  the  Englifli  colony  of  Rhode- 
Ifland  and  Providence  Plantations,"  in  confequence 
of  the  petition  of  a  large  number  of  the  rnoft 
refpeclable  characters  in  the  flate.  By  the  char- 
ter, the  corporation  of  the  college  confifts  of  two 
feparate  branches,  with  diflincl,  fepaiate  and  ref- 
pedive  powers.  The  number  of  trultees  is  thirty- 
fix,  of  whom  twenty-two  are  of  the  denomination 
called  Baptifts,  five  of  the  denomination  of  Friends, 
five  Epifcopalians,  and  four  Congregationalifts. 
The  fame  proportion  of  the  different  denominations 
to  continue  in  perpetuwn*  The  number  of  the 
fellows  (inclufive  of  the  prefident,  who  is  a  fellow 
ex  qfficw}  is  twelve,  of  whom  eight  are  Baptifts ; 
the  others  cholen  mdifcriminately  from  any  denom- 
ination. The  concurrence  of  both  branches,  by 
a  majority  of  each,  is  neceflary  for  the  validity  of 
an  act,  except  adjudging  and  conferring  degrees, 
which  exclufively  belongs  to  the  fellowfhip  as  a 
learned  faculty.  The  prefident  mud  be  a  Bap- 
tift  ;  profefifors  and  other  officers  of  inftruction  are 
not  limited  to  any  particular  denomination.  There 
is  annually  a  general  meeting  of  the  corporation, 
on  the  firft  Wednefday  in  September,  at  which 
time  the  public  commencement  is  held.* 

IT  is  thus  exprefled  in  the  college  charter :  "  All 
the  members  of  this  inftitution  mall  forever  enjoy 
full,  free,  abfolute  and  uninterrupted,  liberty  of 
confcience,  and  that  the  places  of  profefibrs,  tu- 

*  Morfis  G*(,graj.fyt  VoL  I,  p.  437. 


NEW-EN-GLAND.  235 

tors,  and  all  other  officers,  the  prefident  excepted,  1764. 
{hall  be  free  and  open  for  all  denominations  of  v-^v%> 
Proteftants."* 

THIS  inftitution  was  firft  founded  at  Warren,  in 
the  county  of  Briftol,  and  the  firft  commencement 
held  therein  1769. 

IN  the  year  1770,  the  college  was  removed  to 
Providence,  where  a  large  elegant  building  was 
creeled  for  its  accommodation,  by  the  generous  do- 
nations of  individuals,  moftly  from  the  town  of 
Providence.  It  is  fituated  upon  a  hill  to  the  eaft 
of  the  town,  and  while  its  elevated  fituation  renders 
it  delightful,  by  commanding  an  extenfive  variegat- 
ed profpec~l,  it  furnifhes  it  with  a  pure  falubrious 

air.f 

THE  inhabitants  of  New-Hampfhire,  likethofeof 
the  other  New-England  fettlements,  were  diftin- 
guifhed  by  their  attention  to  the  promotion  of 
learning.  The  ancient  laws  of  the  colony  required 
every  town  of  one  hundred  families  to  keep  a 
grammar  fchool,  in  which  the  learned  languages 
mould  be  taught,  and  youth  prepared  for  admiffiou 
to  an  univerfity.J 

DURING  the  adminiflration  of  governor  Went- 1769. 
worth,  a  feminary  of  literature  was  eftablifhed  in 
the  province  of  New-Hampfhire.  It  was  founded 
on  a  projection  of  Doctor  Eleazer  Wheelock,  of 
Lebanon,  in  Connecticut,  for  the  removal  of  the 
Indian  charity  fchool. [| 

*  Charter   of  Providence  College,     -f-  Morfe,  p%  437. 
J  Bettaap.     \\  Ibid,  Vol.  2L  p.   349, 


236  HISTORYOF 

1769.  THE  firfl  defign  of  a  fchool  of  this  kind  was 
conceived  by  Mr.  John  Sergeant,  miffionary  to  the 
Indians  at  Stockbridge.  A  rambling  mode  of  life, 
and  a  total  want  of  letters,  were  ever  unfriendly  to 
the  propagation  of  religious  knowledge  among  the 
favages  of  America.  This  worthy  miffionary,  in- 
tent on  the  bufmefs  of  his  profeffion,  procured  be* 
nefactions  from  many  benevolent  perfons,  and 
began  a  fchool  at  Stockbridge  ;  where  the  Indian 
youth  were  to  be  maintained  and  inflrucled,  both 
in  literature  and  agriculture.  Death  put  an  end 
to  the  labors  of  this  excellent  man,  before  his  plan 
could  be  accomplimed. 

THIS  defign  was  revived  by  Wheelock.  Having 
made  fome  experiments,  he  was  encouraged  to 
proceed  by  the  tractable  difpofmon  of  the  Indian 
youths,  and  their  proficiency  in  learning  ;  but  ef- 
pecially,  by  the  numerous  benefactions,  which 
he  received  from  the  friends  of  religion  and  hu- 
manity. 

As  an  improvement  on  the  original  defign,  a 
number  of  Englim  youths  were  educated  wiih  the 
Indians,  both  in  literary  and  agricultural  exeicifes ; 
that  their  example  might  invite  the  Indians  to  the 
love  of  thofe  employments,  and  abate  the  prejudice, 
which  they  have  univerfaily  imbibed,  that  it  is  be- 
neath the  dignity  of  man  to  delve  in  the  earth.* 

As  the  number  of  fcholais  increafed,  it  became 
neceflary  to  erec~l  buildings,  and  extend  cultivation. 
That  part  of  the  country  in  which  the  fchool  was 

*   Belkwp,  Vol.  II.  p.   351- 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  237 

firfl  placed,  being  filled  with  inhabitants,  a  remov-  1769. 
al  was  contemplated.  The  founder  was  induced 
to  accept  an  invitation  made  by  the  governor 
and  other  gentlemen  in  New-Hampfhire ;  hence 
the  townfhip  of  Hanover,  on  the  eaftern  bank  of 
Connecticut  river,  was  finally  determined  upon, 
as  the  mod  convenient  fituation  for  the  fchool,  to 
which  the  governor  annexed  a  charter  of  incorpo- 
ration for  an  univerfity,  which  was  named  Dart- 
mouth college,  after  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  one 
of  its  principal  benefactors.* 

DOCTOR  Wheelock  was  declared  the  founder 
and  prefident  of  this  univerfity,  with  power  to 
nominate-his  fuccelfor,  in  his  laft  will.  A  board 
of  twelve  truftees  was  conftituted,  with  perpetual 
fucceffion  ;  and  the  college  was  endowed  with  a 
large  landed  eflate.  In  1771,  a  commencement 
was  firfl  held  at  this  place.f 

PREVIOUSLY  to  the  eftablimment  of  the  above 
mentioned  feminary  of  learning,  the  political  calm, 
which  the  colonies  had  fo  long  enjoyed,  was  over- 
caft  with  a  cloud.  Great-Britain,  elated  with 
her  profperity,  had  already  formed,  and  propofed 
a  plan,  which  tended  to  fubvert  their  privileges ; 
and  they,  animated  with  an  ardent  love  of  liberty, 
had  already  exhibited  a  determined  fpirit  of  refiii> 
ance. 

BEFORE  an  hiftorical  (ketch  is  given  of  the  im- 
politic meafures  which  were  taken  by  the  Britiih 
'xniniftry,  it  may,  perhaps,  be  proper  to  mention 
fr  Vol.  II.  p.  351.  f  Ibid*  . 


238  HISTORY    OF 

fome  of  the  caufes,  whichr  produced  that  ardent 
love  of  liberty,  which  ftimulated  the  New-England 
colonies  to  refill  the  arbitrary  encroachments  of 
the  parent  (late. 

NEW-ENGLAND  was  firft  fettled  by  thofe,  who 
groaned  under  the  yoke  of  oppreilion  and  reli- 
gious perfecutions  in  their  native  country.  They 
had  been  zealous  afferters  of  the  caufe  of  liberty 
during  the  arbitrary  reigns  of  James  and  Charles. 
The  tyranny  of  the  Britifh  government,  which  im- 
pelled them  to  feek  an  afyium  in  the  new  world, 
impreifed  their  minds  with  high  ideas  of  their  civil 
and  religious  privileges,  and  the  care  they  took  to 
preferve  them  inviolate  was  evinced  by  their  early 
policy  and  eftablifhments.  As  their  charters  gave 
them  the  power  of  chufmg  their  own  officers,  thofe 
ideas  were  confirmed  and  heightened  by  the  habits 
of  acting  as  freemen.  Whenever  they  conceived 
their  liberties  in  danger,  we  find  traits  of  the  fame 
fpirit  which  finally  fevered  them  from,  Britain. 
When  the  new  charter  of  Maffachufetts  deprived 
that  colony  of  the  privilege  of  chufmg  their  rulers, 
we  find  a  continual  altercation  between  the  people 
and  royal  governors.  Thefe  habits  of  refitting  ev* 
ery  encroachment  in  its  infancy,  invigorated  their 
minds,  and  prepared  them  for  greater  exertions, 
•when  the  tyranny  of  Britain  attempted  to  fubjugate 
them  to  further  innovations.  The  long  period, 
which  elapfed  between  theftamp-afi,  and  the  com- 
mencement  of  hofiilhies,  called  forth  the  mod  dif- 
tinguifhed  abilities,  and  developed  characters, 


NE  W-EN  G  L  AtfD. 

which  will  be  remembered  .with  immortal  honor  in 
the  annals  of  America.  The  writings  of  tbefe 
eminent  characters  diffufed  knowledge  among 
the  great  body  of  the  people,  and  they  became 
well  acquainted  with  the  grounds  of  the  difpute 
between  Britain  and  the  colonies.  The  flame  of 
liberty,  which  was  firft  kindled  in  New-England, 
enlightened  the  continent ;  and  to  their  early  ex- 
ertions, the  other  colonies,  in  a  great  meafure, 
owe  their  liberty  and  independence.  The  force 
of  public  opinion  ;  the  energy  of  American  connfch  ; 
and  their  final '  fuccefs  in  armr,  gave  rife  to  one  of 
the  mod  extraordinary  revolutions  in  hiflory,  which 
is  replete  with  the  moft  important  conferences 
to  mankind. 


HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Rife  of  the  controverfy  between  Great -Britain  and  tie 
colonies.  Of  the  ftamp-att.  Spirited  oppofition 
made  to  it.  Congrefs  appointed.  The  Jlamf-att 
repealed.  Rejoicing  on  that  occajion. 


the  two  preceding  chapters  We  have 
feen  Britain  extending  her  conquefts,  and  the 
colonies  fifing  in  population  and  knowledge.  At 
prefent  we  mud  reverfe  the  profpect,  and  view  the 
parent  (late,  elated  by  her  late  profperity,  and  im- 
pelled by  avarice  and  ambition,  ufmg  every  exer- 
tion to  deprive  the  colonies  of  their  invaluable  pri- 
vileges. On  the  other  hand,  we  may  contemplate 
the  Americans,  with  unfhaken  firmnefs,  perfevefing 
in  defending  their  juft  rights,  and  refilling  the 
arbitrary  impofidons  of  the  Britifh  nation. 

IN  the  foregoing  hiflory,  we  have  feen  the  de- 
figns  of  Dudley,  Randolph,  Andros,  and  others, 
to  eflablifh  an  arbitrary  government  in  New- 
England.  Ever  jealous  of  encroachments  upon 
their  privileges,  the  American  fettlers  baffled  all 
their  fchemes.  Their  infidious  deflgns  were  buried 
with  them  for  a  long  period.  At  length,  they  were 
revived  during  the  adminidration  of  governor 
Shirley,  who,  being  an  enterprizing  characler, 
formed  great  defigns  of  aggrandizing  himfelf  and 
his  connexions,  Mr.  Thomas  Hutchmfon  ar>d 


NEW-ENGLAND.  241 

Mr,  Oliver  were  his  principal  minifters,  joined 
with  other  fubordinate  inftruments.  The  capital 
fcheme  was  to  raife  a  revenue  in  America,  by  au- 
thority of  parliament.* 

IN  the  year  1754,  Mr.  Shirley  communicated  to 
Dr.  Franklin  the  grand  defign  of  taxing  the  colo- 
nies, by  aft  of  parliament.  This  diftinguifhed  pat- 
riot returned  an  anfwer  in  writing,  in  which  he 
reafoned  with  energy  againft  the  execution  of  this 
impolitic  p!an.f 

THE  project  of  taxing  the  colonies  was,  for  a 
time,  laid  atide  ;  Mr.  Shirley  was  removed,  and 
Mr.  Pownall  appointed  to  fucceed  him  in  the  gov- 
ernment. As  this  gentleman  was  a  friend  to  liber- 
ty and  the  conflitution,  thofe  who  wifhed  to  revive 
the  defign  of  taxing  the  colonies,  endeavoured  to 
excite  an  uneafmefs  againft  his  government.  Mr. 
Pownall,  averfe  to  altercation,  folicited  to  be  re- 
called, and  after  fome  time,  Mr.  Bernard,  a  man  of 
arbitrary  principles,  was  removed  from  New-Jerfey 
to  the  chair  of  this  province. 

WHILST  the  war  laded,  thefe  fimple  provinces 
were  of  too  much  importance  in  the  conduct  of  it 
to  be  difgufted  by  an  open  attempt  againft  their  lib- 
erties. The  party,  therefore,  who  were  inimical 
to  their  country,  prepared  the  way,  by  extending 
their  connexions  and  correfpondencies  in  England, 
by  conciliating  the  friendfhip  of  the  crown  officers 

*   See  a  concife  account  of  the  fir  ft  movers  of  ike  plan  to  tax 
and  the  gradual  Jteps  taken    to   efe8  this  purpo/e,  in 


Prelident  Adams  Hi/lory  of  the  Dilutes  with  America,  written  in 
1774.    f  Aid,  />.4,  5,  6. 


HIS  TORY    OF 

occafionally  here,  and  infmuating  that  their  defigns 
were  neceifary  to  be  undertaken  at  feme  future  fa- 
vorable. opportunity,  for  the  good  of  the  empire, 
as  well  as  of  the  colonies. 

THE  termination  of  the  French  war,  which  in- 
volved the  Britifh  nation  in  an  immenfe  load  of 
debt,  was  felected  as  a  proper  time  for  thofe  who 
wiihed  to  introduce  an  arbitrary  government,  to 
fuggeft  to  the  Britifli  financier,  the  project  of 
taxing  the  colonies  by  act  of  parliament.* 

WHILST  thefe  men  were  privately  feeking  the 
eftablifliment  of  an  American  nobility,  out  of 
which  an  intermediate  branch  of  legiilation,  be- 
tween the  royal  and  democratic  powers,  Ihould  be 
appointed  ;  they  pretended,  that  the  tax  in  Ameri- 
ca, would  afford  afiiftance  in  difcharging  the  na- 
tional debt  of  Britain.! 

MR.  Ifrael  Mauduit,  the  Maflachufetts  agent,  in 
1763,  gave  early  notice  of  the  minillerial  intentions 
to  tax  the  colonies  ;  but  the  general  court  not  be- 
ing called  together,  till  the  latter  end  of  the  year, 
inftruftions  to  the  agent,  though  folicited  by  him, 
could  not  be  tranfmitted  in  proper  time,* 
1764-  THE  fubfequent  year,  the  houfe  of  reprefenta- 
tives  came  to  the  following  refolutions.  "  That 
the  fole  right  of  giving  and  granting  the  money 
of  the  people  of  that  province,  was  veiled  in  them, 
as  their  legal  repreientativcs  ;  and  that  the  impofi- 
tion  of  duties  and  taxes,  by  the  parliament  of 
Great  -Britain  ,  upon  a  people  who  are  uot  repre- 

s*  Hi  /lory  of  the.  Dliputtt  with  Am&rica>  p.  1  1  .    f 


Gordon,  Vol.  I.  p.   i  q  g  . 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  243 

iented  in  the  houfe  of  commons,  is  abfolutely  1764, 
irreconcileable  with  their  rights.  That  no  man 
can  juftly  take  the  property  of  another  without  his 
confent ;  upon  which  original  principle,  the  right 
of  reprefentation,  in  the  fame  body,  which  exer- 
cifes  the  power  of  making  laws  for  levying  taxes, 
one  of  the  main  pillars  of  the  Britim  conilitution, 
is  evidently  founded."* 

THE  oppofition  to  the  claims  of  the  Britim  par- 
liament was  not  confined  to  MafTachufetts  ;  but  it 
was  a  prevailing  fentiment  through  the  colonies, 
that  taxation  and  reprefentation  were  infeparable, 
and  that  they  could  be  neither  free  nor  happy,  if 
their  property  could  be  taken  from  them,  without 
their  confent.  The  common  people  in  America 
reafoned  on  this  fubjeft  in  a  fummary  way  :  "  If  4 
Britilh  parliament,"  faid  they,  "  in  which  we  are 
unreprefented,  and  over  which  we  have  no  con- 
trol,  can  take  from  us  any  part  of  our  property, 
by  direfit  taxation,  they  may  take  as  much  as  they 
pleafe,  and  we  have  no  fecurity  for  any  thing,  that 
remains,  but  a  forbearance,  on  their  part,  lei's  like- 
ly to  be  exercifed  in  our  favor,  as  they  lighten 
themfelves  of  the  burthens  of  government,  in  the 
fame  proportion  that  they  impofe  them  upon  us." 

ON  the  other  hand,  Great-Britain  contended, 
that  her  parliament  had  fupreme  power,  and  was 
inverted  with  authority  to  lay  taxes  on  every  part 
of  the  royal  dominions. 

As  the  principle  of  taxing  the  colonies  had  been 
for  foine  time  determined  upon,  at  length  Mr.  Gren- 

*   Gordon^  V*l.  Lp.  148. 


244  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1765.  vllle  brought  into  the  houfe  of  commons  his  long 
expelled  bill,  for  laying  a  (lamp  duty  upon  Ame- 
rica. By  this,  after  pafling  through  the  ufual 
forms,  it  was  enacted,  "  that  the  inftruments  of 
writing,  which  are  in  daily  ufe  among  a  commer- 
cial people,  mould  be  null  and  void,  unlefs  they 
were  executed  on  damped  paper,  or  parchment, 
charged  with  a  duty,  impofed  by  the  Britifh  par- 
liament." 

WHEN  the  bill  was  brought  in,  Mr.  Charles* 
Townfend  concluded  a  fpeech  in  its  favor,  with 
words  to  the  following  effect  :  "  And  now  will 
thefe  Americans,  children  planted  by  our  care, 
nourimed  by  our  indulgence,  until  they  are  grown 
to  a  degree  of  (Irength  and  opulence  ;  and  protect- 
ed by  our  arms ;  will  they  grudge  to  contribute 
their  mite  to  relieve  us  from  the  heavy  weight  of 
that  burthen  which  we  lie  under  ?" 

COL.  Barre  took  up  Mr.  Townfend's  concluding 
words  in  a  mod  fpirited  and  inimitable  manner, 
faying,  "  They  planted  by  YOUR  care!  No,  your 
oppreffions  planted  them  in  America.  They  fled 
from  your  tyranny,  to  a  then  uncultivated  and  in- 
hofpitable  country,  where  they  expofed  themfelves 
to  alrnod  all  the  hardihips  to  which  human  nature 
is  liable,  and  among  others,  to  the  cruelty  of  a 
favage  foe,  the  mod  fubtle,  and  I  will  take  upon 
me  to  fay,  the  mod  formidable  of  any  people  upon 
the  face  of  God's  earth  ;  and  yet,  actuated  by  prin- 
ciples of  true  Englifh  liberty,  they  met  all  hardfhips 
with  pleafure,  compared  with  thofe  they  fuffered  in 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  245 

their  own  country  from  the  hands  of  them,   that  1765. 
fiiould  have  been  their  friends.     They  nouriftjcd  by 
your  indulgence !    They  grew   by  your  negJccl  of 
them.     As  foon  as  you  began  to  care  about  them, 
that  care  was  exercifed  in  fending  perfons  to  rule 
them  in  one  department   and  another,  who  were 
perhaps  the  deputies  of  deputies  to  fome  members 
of  this  houfe,  fent  to  fpy  out  their  liberties,  to  mif- 
reprefent  their  aclions,    and   to  prey  upon  them  j 
men  whofe  behavior,  on  many  occafions,  has  caufed 
the  blood  of  thofe  fons  of  liberty  to  recoil  within 
them  ;  men  promoted  to  the  higheft  feats  of  juf- 
tice,  fome,  who,  to  my  knowledge,  were^    glad,  by 
going  to  a  foreign  country,  to  efcape  being  brought 
to  a  court  of  juftice  in  their  own.     They  protected 
by  your  arms  /   They  have  nobly  taken  up  arms  in 
your  defence,  have  exerted   a  valor,   amidfl  their 
conftant  and  laborious  induflry,  for  the  defence  of 
a  country,  whofe  frontier  was  drenched  in  blood> 
while  its  interior  parts  yielded  all  its  little  favings  to 
your  emolument.      And  believe  me,  remember  I 
this  day  told  you  fo,  that  the  fame  fpirit  of  freedom, 
which  actuated  tl^at  people  at  fir  ft,  will  accompany 
them  ftill ;  but  prudence  forbids  me  to  explain  my- 
felf  farther.     God  knows  I  do  not  fpeak  at  this 
time  from  any  motives  of  party   heat.      What  I 
deliver  are  the  genuine   fentiments   of  my  heart. 
However  fuperior  to  me  in  general  knowledge  and 
experience,  the  refpeftable  body  of  this  houfe  may 
be,  yet  I  claim  to  know  more  of  America,  than  mo  ft 
of  you,  having  feen  and   been  convcrfant  in  that 


HISTORY    OF 

1765.  country.  The  people,  I  believe,  are  as  truly  loyal 
as  any  fubjects  the  king  has  ;  but  a  people  jealous 
of  their  liberties,  and  who  will  vindicate  them,  if 
ever  they  fhould  be  violated  ;  but  the  fubjecl  is  too 
delicate.  I  will  fay  no  more."* 

WHEN  the  queftion  upon  the  bill,  in  Its  laft 
ftage,  was  brought  to  a  vote,  there  were  about  2,50 
for,  and  50  againfl  it,  in  the  houfe  of  commons. 

THE  bill  met  with  no  oppofition  in  the  houfe  of 
lords,  and  on  the  22 d  of  March,  it  received  the 
royal  aiTent.  The  night  after  it  was  paifed,  Dr- 
Franklin  wrote  to  Mr.  Charles  Thompfon,  after- 
wards fecretary  of  congrefs,  "  The  fun  of  liberty  is 
fct ;  you  muft  light  up  the  candles  of  indufiry  and 
economy"  Mr.  Thompfon  anfwered,  "He  was 
apprehenfive  that  other  lights  would  be  the  confe- 
quence,  and  predicted  the  oppofition,  that  follow, 
ed." 

THE  framers  of  the  ftamp-aet  flattered  them* 
felves,  that  the  confufion  which  would  arife  upon 
the  difufe  of  writing,  and  the  infecurity  of  proper-t 
ty,  would  compel  the  colonies  to  ufe  the  (tamped 
paper,  and,  therefore,  to  pay  the  taxes  impofed. 
Thus  they  were  induced  to  pronounce  it  a  law 
which  would  execute  itfelf.f 

By  the  terms  of  the  flamp-acl,  it  was  not  to  take 
place  till  the  firfl  day  of  November,  a  period  of  more 
than  feven  months  after  its  palling.  This  gave  the 
colonifls  an  opportunity  for  leifurely  canvafiing  the 
fubjecl,  and  examining  it  fully  on  every  fide.  Vir- 
ginia led  the  way  in  oppofition  to  the  flamp-acl. 

*  Ramfay,  VoLLp.  57.     f  Gordon. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  347 

Their  affembly  palTed  a  number  of  fpirited  refolves,  1765. 
afferting  their  exclufive  right  to  tax  the   inhabit- 
ants of  their  colony. 

"  THE   colonies    of  New-England,"   fays   Dr. 
Ramfay,  "  exhibited  themfelves  the  warmeft  de- 
fenders of  liberty,  and    boldeft    oppofers  of  the 
{lamp-aft.      They  confidered  their  obligations  to 
their  mother  country  for  pad  favors  to  be  very  in- 
confiderable.     They  were  fully  informed,  that  their 
forefathers  were  driven  by  perfecution  to  the  woods 
of  America ;    and,    without    any  expence  to  the 
parent  flate,   had  there  effected  a  fettlement  on 
bare  creation.     Their  refentment  for  the  invafion 
of  the  accuflomed  right  of  taxation  was  not  fo  much 
mitigated  by  the  recollection  of  pad  favors,  as  it 
was  heightened  by  the  tradition  of  grievous  fuffer- 
ings,  to  which  their   anceilors  had  been  fubjecled 
by    the  rulers  of  England.      The  defcendants  of 
the  exiled,  perfecuted  Puritans  of  the  lail  century, 
oppofed  the   (lamp-act  with  the  fame  fpirit,  with 
which  their   forefathers  were  actuated,  when  they 
fet    themfelves  againft  the  arbitrary  impoiitions  of 

the  houfe  of  Stuart."* 
* 

A  NEW  mode  of  difplaying  refentment  againit 
the  friends  of  the  ftamp-acl,  began  in  Maffachufetts, 
and  was  followed  by  the  other  colonies. 

A  FEW  gentlemen  hung  out,  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, on  the  limb  of  a  large  tree,  towards  the  en> 
trance  of  Bofton,  two  effigies,  one  deiigned  for 
the  (lamp-matter,  the  other  for  a  jack-boot,  with 
a  head  and  horns  peeping  out  at  the  top.  Great 

*   Ram/ ay t  Fol.  L  p.  6l. 


t 
248  HISTORYOF 

1765.  numbers,  both  from  town  and  country,  came  to 
fee  them.  A  fpii.it  of  enthufiafm  ^was  diffufed 
among  the  fpe&ators.  In  the  evening  the  whole 
was  cut  down  and  carried  in  procellion  by  the  pop- 
ulace, fhouting,  "  liberty  and  property  forever., 
no  (tamps."  They  next  pulled  down  a  new  build- 
ing, lately  erected  by  Mr.  Oliver,  the  ft  amp-mailer. 
They  then  went  to  his  houfe,  before  which  they 
beheaded  his  effigy,  and  at  the  fame  time  broke 
his  windows.  Eleven  days  after,  the  mob  attacked 
the  houfe  of  Mr.  William  Storey,  deputy-regifter 
of  the  court  of  admiralty  ;  and  Benjamin  Hallow- 
el,  comptroller  of  the  cuftoms,  arid  repeated  fnni- 
lar  exceflfes.  They  afterwards  proceeded  to  the 
houfe  of  Mr.  Hutchinfon,  and  foon  demolished  it. 
They  carried  off  his  plate,  furniture  and  apparel, 
and  fcattered  and  deftroyed  manufcripts  and  other 
curious  and  ufeful  papers,  which  he  had  been  col- 
leding  for  thirty  years.* 

SIMILAR  diflurbances  broke  out  in  the  adjacent 
colonies,  nearly  about  the  fame  period. 

As  opportunities  offered,  the  ailemblies  of  the 
colonies  generally  palled  refolutions,  aflerting  their 
exclufive  tight  to  lay  taxes  on  their  conflituents.f 

THK  expediency  of  calling  a  continental  congrefs, 
to  be  compofed  of  deputies  from  each  of  the  prov- 
inces, had  early  occurred  to  the  people  of  Maifachu- 
fetts.  The  affembly  of  that  province  pafifed  a  refo- 
lution  in  favor  of  that  meafure,  and  fixed  on  New- 
York  as  the  place,  and  the  fecond  Ttiefday  of  Oc- 
tober, as  the  time  for  holding  their  firft  meeting* 

*  Ramfay,  Vol.  L  p*  65.     f  Ibid,  /»    M., 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  249 

THE  aflemblies  of  Virginia,  North-Carolina  and  1765. 
Georgia  were  prevented  by  their  governors,  from 
fending  a  deputation  to  this  congrefs.  Twenty* 
eight  deputies  from  MafTachuietts,,  Rhode-lfland., 
Connecticut,  New-York,  New-Jerfey,  Pennfylvania, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  and  South-Carolina,  met  at 
New- York ;  and,  after  mature  deliberation,  agreed 
on  a  declaration  of  their  rights,  and  a  ftatement  of 
their  grievances.  They  afTer ted,  in  energetic  termsj 
their  exemption  from  all  taxes  not  impofed  by  their 
own  reprefentatives.  They  alfo  concurred  in  a 
petition  to  the  king,  a  memorial  to  the  houfe  of 
lords,  and  a  petition  to  the  houfe  of  commons. 
The  colonies  that  were  prevented  from  fending 
their  reprefentatives  to  this  congrefs,  forwarded 
petitions,  fimilar  to  thofe  adopted  by  the  deputies 
who  attended.* 

WHILST  a  variety  of  legal  and  illegal  methods 
were  adopted  to  oppofe  the  ftamp-adt,  the  i  ft  of 
November,  on  which  it  was  to  commence  its  ope- 
ration, approached.  This  in  Boflon  was  ufhered 
in  by  a  funeral  tolling  of  the  bells.  Many  (hops 
and  (lores  were  (hut.  The  effigies  of  the  planners 
and  friends  of  the  flamp-act,  were  carried  about 
the  ftreets  in  public  derifion,  and  then  torn  in 
pieces  by  the  enraged  populace.  It  was  remarka- 
ble, that  though  a  large  crowd  were  affembled, 
there  was  not  the  lead  violence  or  diforder.f 

IN  New-Hampfhire,  the  morning  was  ulhered  in, 
with  tolling  all  the  bells  in  Portfmouth,  New- 

*   Ratnfay,  Vol.  L  p.  t$.     f  Ibid. 
H  h 


25o  HISTORY    OF 

1765.  Caftle,  and  Greenland.  In  the  cour!~  of  the  day, 
notice  was  given  to  the  friends  of  Liberty  to  attend 
her  funeral.  A  coffin  was-  prepared,  and  neatly 
ornamented,  on  the  lid  of  which  was  infcribed  the 
word  Liberty,  m  capitals,  aged  one  hundred  and 
forty-five  years,  computing  from  the  time  of  our 
aneeftors  landing  in  Plymouth.  The  funeral  pro- 
eeiiion  began  from  the  ftate-houfe,  attended  with 
two  unbraced  drums^  While  the  inhabitants,  \vho 
followed  the-  coffin*  we?e  in-  motion,  minute  guns 
were  fired,  and  continued  till  the  corpfe  arrived  at 
the  place  of  interment,-  Then  an  oration  in  favor 
of  the  deceafed  was  pronounced.  It  was  fcarcely 
ended  beiore  the  corpfe  was  taken  up,  it  having 
been  perceived  that  fomc  remains  of  life  were  left, 
at  which  the  infcription  was  immediately  altered  to 
"  Liberty  revived."  The  bells  fuddenly  changed 
their  melancholy,  for  a  more  joyful  found,  and 
fatisfaction  appeared  in-  every  countenance.  The 
whole  was  conducted  with  decency,  and  without 
injury  or  infult  to  any  man's  perfon  or  property. 

AT  Rhode-Iiland,  the  runeral  of  liberty  was  at- 
tended in  a  fimilar  manner  as  in  Portfmouth'* 

THOUGH  the  itamp-acl  was  to  have  operated 
from  the  iii  of  November,  yet  nioft  departments 
of  bufmefs  were  conducted  as  ufual,  the  people 
having  formed  the  mod  fpirited  refolutions  to  riik 
all  confequences.,  rather  than  to  ufe  the  paper  re- 
quired by  law.  Whilft  thele  matters  vveie  in  agi- 
tation, the  colonifls  entered  mto  afibciadons  againft 
importing  B-ritifh  manufactures,  till  the  ftamp-a^l 

*  Eoflon  Gazcf.'t,  &V.    51,   1765,  /.  2^ 


HE  W-ENGL  AND.  251 

ftould  be  repealed.  By  thefe  means  they  made  it  1765. 
the  interefl  of  merchants  and  manufacturers,  to 
folicit  in  their  favor.  In  order  to  remedy  the  de- 
ficiency of  Britilh  goods,  the  colonifts  applkd 
themfelves  =to  a  variety  of  domeftic  manufactures^ 
and  foreign  luxuries  were  generally  difufed. 

IN  confequence  of  the  rigid  obfervance  of  thefe 
Teflriclions,  multitudes  of  artificers  in  .England 
were  reduced  to  great  diftrefs,  and  fbme  of  tliek 
mod  flourifhing  manufactures  were,  In  a  great 
meafure,  at  a  ftand.  An  affociation  was  entered 
into,  by  many  of  thcfons  of  liberty >  the  name  giv. 
en  to  thofe,  uho  were  oppofed  to  the  ftamp-acT:,  by 
which  they  agreed  "  to  march  with  the  utmoft 
expedition,  at  their  own  proper  expence,  and 
with  their  whole  force,  to  the  relief  of  thofe,  wha 
fliould  be  in  danger  from  the  (lamp-acl,  or  from 
its  promoters  and  abettors,  on  account  of  any- 
thing that  may  have  been  done  in  oppofition  to 
its  obtaining."  This  was  fubfcribed  by  fuch  mul- 
titudes in  New- York  and  New-England,  that  no- 
thing but  a  repeal  could  have  prevented  the  imme- 
diate commencement  of  a  civil  war.* 

FROM  the  decided  oppofition  of  the  Americans 
to  the  ftamp-acl,  it  became  neceffary  for  Great- 
Britain  to  enforce,  or  repeal  it.  Both  methods 
of  proceeding  had  fupporters.  The  mod  diftin- 
guifhed  advocates  for  the  ooionifts  were  Lord 
Camden,  in  the  houfe  of  peers,  and  Mr.  Pitt,  in 
the  houfe  of  commons.  The  former,  in  energet- 
ic language,  declared,  "  My  pofitiou  is  this,  I  re- 

*  Ratnjay,  /V.  I,  p.  Jl. 


*5*  HISTORY    OF 

1765.  peat  it,  I  will  maintain  it  to  my  lafl  hour,  taxation 
and  reprefentation  are  infeparable.  This  pofition 
is  founded  on  the  laws  of  nature.  It  is  more,  it 
Is  itfelf  an  eternal  law  of  nature.  For  whatever 
is  a  man's  own,  is  abfolutely  his  own.  No  man 
has  a  right  to  take  it  from  him  without  his  confent. 
Whoever  attempts  to  do  it,  attempts  an  injury  ; 
whoever  does  it,  commits  a  robbery." 

MR.  Pitt,  with  an  original  boldnefs  of  expref- 
fion,  juflified  the  colonifts  in  oppofmg  the   ftamp- 
act.      "  You  have  no  right,"  faid   he,    "  to  tax 
America.     I   rejoice,    that  America  has  refilled. 
Three  millions  of  our  fellow  fubjecls   fo    loft   to 
every  fenfe  of  virtue,  as  tamely  to  give  up  their 
liberties,  would  be  fit  inftruments  to  make  Haves 
of  the  reft."     He  concluded  with   giving  his  ad- 
vice,   that  the    ftamp-aclt    be    repealed  abfolutely 
totally ',   and  immediately  ;  that  the  reafon  for  the 
repeal  be  ailigned,  that  //  was  founded  en  an  erro- 
neous principle.     ^  At    the  fame    time,"  faid    he, 
"  let  the  fovereign  authority  of  this  country,  over 
the  colonies,  be  afferted  in  as  flrong  terms  as  can 
be  devifed,  and  be  made  to  extend  to  every  point 
of  legiflation  whatfoever  ;   that  ^e  may  bind  their 
trade,  confine  their   manufactures,    and   exercife 
every  power,  except  that   of  taking  their  money 
put  of  their  pockets  without  theii  confent."     The 
approbation  of  this  illuftrious  ftatefrnan  infpired  the 
Americans  with    courage,  apd  emboldened   them 
at  a  future  period,  to  refill  the  tyranny  of  Great- 
Britain.* 

*   See  Lifioftl*  Eir 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  253 

AFTER  much  debating,  and  two  protefts  in  1766* 
the  houfe  of  lords,  and  pafling  an  a£l  called  the 
declaratory  acl,  for  fecuring  the  dependence  of 
America  on  the  parent  country,  the  repeal  of  the 
llanip-acl:  was  finally  carried  the  1 8th  of  March. 
This  event  occafioned  great  joy  in  London.  Ships 
on  the  river  Thames  difplayed  their  colors,  and 
houfes  were  illuminated  through  the  city.* 

THE  intelligence  of  the  repeal  of  the  (tamp-aft 
was  received  in  America  with  the  moil  lively 
emotions  of  joy.  The  colonifts  recommenced  their 
mercantile  intercourfe  with  Great-Britain.  Their 
churches  refounded  with  thankfgivings,  and  by 
letters,  addrefTes  and  other  means,  they  .exhibit- 
ed unequivocal  marks  of  acknowledgment  and 
gratitude, 

*  Xam/aj,  Vol.  I.  p.  73,    74. 


254  HISTORYOF 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

New  pi  an  of  rat/ing  a  revenue  in  America.  Deter- 
mined oppofition  of  the  colonies.  Their  new  im- 
portation agreement.  Arrival  of  the  Britifh 
troops.  The  parliament^  in  an  addrefs  to  the 
king,  applaud  the  meafurcs  taken  by  the  BritijJ} 
ini\iiftry.  In  confequence  of  the  non-importation 
agreement,  all  the  duties  are  repealed,  excepting  that 
6n  tea.  MaJJacrs  of  the  $th  of  March.  Provi- 
fion  made  in  Great- Britain  for  rendering  the  gover- 
nor and  judges  independent  of  the  people.  Burn- 
ing of  the  Gafpce.  Bifeovery  of  confidential  let- 
ters written  by  governor  Hutchinfon  and  others  to 
leading  characters  in  England.  Committees  of 
correspondence  revived. 


T. 


HE  ftamp-aft  was  not  repealed  on 
American  principles.  1  he  declaratory  atl,  \vhich 
\vas  f>afied  previouily  to  its  repeal,  annulled  the  re- 
folutions  and  a£ts  of  the  provincial  affemblies,  in 
\vhich  they  had  aiTerted  their  right  to  exemption 
from  all  taxes,  not  impoied  by  their  own  repre- 
fentatives,  and  alfo  enacted,  "  That  the  parliament 
bad,  and  of  right  ought  to  have,  power  to  bind  the 
colonies  in  all  cafes  whatfoever." 

1767.  AN  American  revenue  .was  ftill  a  favorite  object 
in  Great-Britain,  and  they  were  defirous  of  carrying 
their  point  without  diiturbing  the  public  tranqulli- 


N  £  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  255 

ty.  For  this  purpofe,  Mr.  Charles  Townfend,May*3. 
chancellor  of  the  exchequer,  brought  into  parlia- 
ment a  bill  for  granting  duties  in  the  Britifh  colo- 
nies, on  glafs?  paper,  painters*  colors,  and  tea.  The 
bill  for  the  new  raxes  was  quickly  paffed,  and  traiif- 
mitted  to  America  the  fubfequent  year.  In  order  1768. 
to  manage  the  revenue  collected  by  thofe  duties, 
the  chancellor  brought  in  a  bill  for  eftablifhmg  a 
cuftom-houie,  and  a  board  of  commiflioners  in 
America,  which  alfo  pafled  into  an  a£t  at  the  fame 
time  with  the  former.  This  board  was  placed  at 
Bodon,  among  a  people,  who,  it  is  faid,  "  were  of 
all  others,  the  moft  jealous  of  infringements  on 
their  privileges.1  '* 

THE  minifter,  who  planned  thefe  duties,  might 
prefume,  that  they  were  too  inconfiderable  to  give 
any  alarm.  But  the  late  difcuflions  occafioned  by 
the  (tamp-act,  had  produced  among  the  colonifts, 
not  only  an  animated  conviction  of  their  exemp- 
tion from  parliamentary  taxation,  but  a  jealoufy  of 
fhe  defigns  of  Great-Britain.  They  confidered 
thofe  fmall  dudes  as  introductory  to  others,  that 
would  be  greater.  It  was  now  demonltrated  by 
feveral  writers,  particularly  by  Mr.  Dickinfon,  au- 
thor of  the  Pennfylvania  Farmer,!  a  judicious  and 
fpirited  pamphlet,  which  had  a  rapid  and  exten- 
five  circulation  through  the  colonies,  that  a  fmall 
tax,  though  more  fpeclous,  was  equally  dangerous 
with  the  ftamp-adl,  as  it  eftablifhed  a  precedent 
which  eventually  annihilated  American  property."! 

*   Gordon.,  Vol   Ip   214 — 216.       '\  &e  Farmtf's  Letters, 
J   Ramfay,  ¥*L  1.  p.  75-77- 


256  h  I  S  T  0  R  Y    O  F 

1768.      'tat-  revenue  act  produced  refolves,   petition?. 

^<*j  addrefles  and  remonft  ranees,  fimilar  to  thofe,  with 
\vhich  the  colonifts  oppofed  the  ftamp-acr,.  It  alfo 
gave  rife  to  a  fecond  aiTocialion  for  fufpending  far- 
ther importation  of  Britifh  manufactures,  till  thefe 
offenlive  duties  fhould  be  taken  off.  Uniformity 

Feb.n.  in  thefe  nteafures  was  promoted  by  a  circular  Jet- 

^^  ter  from  the  affembiy  of  Maftaehufetts,  to  the 
fpeakei's  of  the  other  aifemblies.  This  flated  the 
oppofition  they  had  made  to  the  late  duties,  their 
pernicious  confequences,  and  requefted  a  free 
communication  on  public  affairs.  Moil  of  the  pro- 
vincial aifemblies,  as  they  had  opportunities  of  de- 
liberating on  the  fubjecl:,  approved  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  MalTachufetts  aiTembly,  and  adopted 
fimilar  methods  to  obtain  redrefs.* 

THE  circular  letter  of  the  Maifachufetts  aflembly 
highly  irritated  the  Britifh  miniftry.  Lord  Hillf- 
borough,  fecretary  to  the  American  department, 
wrote  letters  to  the  governors  of  the  refpedive 
provinces,  urging  them  to  exert  their  influence  to 
prevent  the  aflemblies  from  taking  any  notice  of  it ; 
and  he  called  on  the  MaiTachufetts  affembly,  to 
relcind  their  proceedings  on  that  fubject. 

THE  proportion  for  refunding  was  negatived 
by  a  majority  of  ninety-two  to  feventeen*  Upon 
which  the  governor,  as  the  fecretary  had  threaten- 
ed, immediately  diffolved  the  aiTernbly. 

Jun«- 10.  THE  public  diffenfions  at  this  period  were  greatly 

increafed,  on  occafion  of  the  feizure  of  Mr.    Han- 

,     cock's  floop  Liberty,  for  not  having  entered  all  the 

*   Ram! ay,   I'd  1.  /.  :3> 


NEW-ENGLAND.  257 

Brines  fhe  had  brought  from  Madeira.  Thepopu-  1768. 
larity  of  her  owner,  the  name  of  the  {loop,  and  the 
general  averfion  to  the  board  of  com  million  ers,  and 
parliamentary  taxation,  concurred  to  inflame  the 
minds  of  the  people*  They  refented  the  removal 
of  the  Hoop  from  the  wharf)  as  implying  an  appre* 
henfion  of  a  refcue.  They  ufed  every  method  in 
their  power  to  interrupt  the  officers  in  the  execu- 
tion of  their  bufmefs,  and  numbers  fwore  they 
would  be  revenged.  Three  of  the  commiflioners 
efcaped  with  the  utmoft  hazard  of  their  lives. 
They  attacked  the  houfes  of  the  other  commiffion* 
ers,  deftroyed  the  collector's  boats,  and  obliged  the 
cuflom-houfe  officers  to  take  refuge  in  caflle  Wil- 
liam, fituated  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbor.* 

THE  conflant  difagreement  between  the  conimif- 
fioners  and  the  inhabitants  of  Bofton,  induced  the 
friends  of  the  American  revenue  to  folicit  the  pro- 
tection of  a  regular  force,  to  be  flattened  in  that 
town.  In  compliance  with  their  wifhes,  his  majef- 
ty  ordered  two  regiments,  and  fome  armed  vef- 
fels,  to  repair  thither,  for  fupporting  and  affifting 
the  officers  of  the  cuftoms  in  the  execution  of  their 
duty.f 

WHEN  it  was  reported  in  Boflon  that  one  or 
more  regiments  were  ordered  thither,  the  inhabit- 
ants of  that  town  were  exceedingly  alarmed.  A 
town-meeting  was  called,  and  a  committee  appoint- 
ed to  requelt  the  governor  to  convene  a  general 
affembly.  He  pofitively  refufed  to  comply  with 
their  requeft,  till  he  received  his  majcfty's  com- 

t  Pol.  L  p.  79.      f  Ibid,  f.  80, 
I  Ji 


258  fl  I  3  ?  O  R  Y    C$  F 

1768.  maud  for  that  purpofe.  In  confeq-uence  of  his  re- 
Sep.i  3.  fufal,  fome  fpirited  refolutions  were  adopted.  Ir* 
particular,  it  was  voted,  that  the  fekct-men  of  Bof- 
ton  fhould  wait  on  the  {elect-men  of  other  towns, 
to  propofe,  that  a  convention  be  held  of  depu- 
ties from  each,  to  meet  at  Faneuil-hall,  in  Bo-fton-, 
September  22.  It  was  afterwards  voted,  "  That 
as  there  is  appreheniion  in  the  minds  of  many  of 
an  approaching  war  with  France,  thofe  inhabitants, 
vho  are  not  provided,  be  requefted  to  furniih  them- 
felves  immediately  with  arms."* 

NINETY-SIX  towns,  and  eight  diftri&s,  agreed  tb 
this  propofal,  and  appointed  deputies  to  attend  a 
convention  ;  but  the  town  of  Hatfield  refufed  its 
concurrence.  When  the  deputies  met,  they  dif- 
claimed  all  legiilative  authority,  advifed  the  people 
to  pay  the  greateft  deference  to  government,  and 
to  wait  patiently  for  a  red refs  of  their  grievances, 
from  his  majefty^  wifdom  and  moderation.  Hav- 
ing flated  to  the  world  the  caufes  of  their  meeting, 
and  an  account  of  their  proceedings,  they  diflblved 
themfelves,  after  a  fnort  fefiion,  and  returned  to 
their  refpeclive  places  of  abode. 

WITHIN  a  day  after  the  convention  broke  up, 
the  expeded  regiments  arrived,  and  were  peaceably 
received,  contrary,  as  is  fuppofed,  to  the  wifhes 
of  thofe,  who  were  inimical  to  American  liberty. 
That  party,  probably,  hoped  for  an  opportunity  of 
giving  the  Boftoniaus  fome  naval  arid  military  cor- 
rection. 

1769.      WHILST  the  Americans  exhibited  a  determined 
resolution  to  refifl  the  encroachments  of  arbitrary 

Vol.  /,  8l»     Gvrdon    Vii.  L   »,  2—2. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D,  259 

power,   the  Britim  miniftry  appeared  obflinately  1769. 
bent  upon  fubverting  their  privileges.      In  Febru-  ^^^ 
ary,  both  houfes  of  parliament  concurred  in  a  joint 
addrefs  to  his  majefty,  in  whkh  they  applauded  the 
measures  he  had  tafcen  .;  gave  the  flrongeft  affuran- 
ces  that  they  would  effectually  fupport  his  govern- 
ment in  MaiTachufetts-Bay.     Finally,  they  propof- 
ed,  the  bringing  of  delinquents  from  Maffachufetts, 
to  be  tried  at  a  tribunal  in  Great-Britain.* 

THE  province  of  MaiTachufetts  continued  with 
undaunted  firmnefs  to  ailert  their  rights.  The 
other  colonies  followed  their  example  ;  and  enter* 
cd  into  a  fimilar  non-importation  agreement. 

THIS  agreement  had  now  lafted  fome  time,  and 
by  degrees  became  general.  In  confequence  of 
which,  the  manufactures  in  Great-Britain  experi- 
enced a  renewal  of  the  didreifes,  which  followed 
the  adoption  of  fimilar  refolutions  in  1765.  A  re- 
peal of  thofe  duties  was,  therefore,  folicited  by  the 
fame  influence  which  had  procured  the  repeal  of  the 
ftamp-acl.  The  rulers  of  Great-Britain  a&ed  without 
decifion.  Though  anxious  to  eftablifh  parliamentary 
fupremacy,  yet  they  were  afraid  to  ftem  the  torrent 
of  oppolition.  At  length  they  confented  to  repeal  all  1770 
the  duties,  impofed  in  1767,  excepting  that  of  three 
pence  per  pound  on  tea. 

THE  declarator y-acl,  and  the  refervation  of  the 
duty  on  tea,  left  the  caufe  of  contention  between 
the  two  countries  undecided.  The  Rationing  a  mil- 
itary force  in  Maffachufe:ts  was  (as  might  be  ex- 
pecied)  attended  with  ferious  confequences.  The 

*  Rarnty,  JV.  I.  p.  82. 


26'o  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1770.  royal  army  bad  been  taught  to  look  upon  the  in- 
habitants  of  that  province  as  a  factious  turbulent 
people,  who  aimed  at  renouncing   all  fubordina- 
tion  to  Great-Britain;  they,  on  the  other  hand,  were 
accuftomed  to  regard  the  foldiers  as  mftruments  of 
tyranny,  fent  on  purpofe  to  deftroy  their  liberties.* 
ON   the    2d   of  March,   an  affray  took  place 
near  Mr.  Gray's  rope*walk,    between   a    private 
foldier  of  the  29th  regiment,  and  an  inhabitant  of 
Bofton  ;  the  former  was   fupported  by   his  com- 
rades, the  latter  by  the  rope-makers,  till  feveral  oil 
both  fides  were  involved  in  the  confequences.     On 
the  5th,  a  more  dreadful  fcene  enfued  ;  the  king's 
foldiers  fired  upon  the  mob,  who  were  collected 
to  infult    them,   killed   three,    and    dangerouily 
wounded  five  of  the  number.     The  town  was  im- 
mediately in  commotion,  and  nothing  but  an  en- 
gagement to  remove  the  troops,  together  with  the 
advice   of  moderate   men,  prevented   the  inhabit- 
ants from  falling  on  the  foldiers.  In  order  to  exprefs 
their  indignation  at  this  event,  the  killed  were  bu- 
ried in  one  vault,  in  a  moft   refpeclful   manner. 
Captain   Prefton,  who  commanded  this   party  of 
foldiers,  was  committed  to  prifon,  and  afterwards 
tried.     A  Britifli  author  obferves  on  this  occafion, 
"  Let  it  be  remembered  to    the  praife    of  Ameri- 
can    virtue,   that  on  this  trial,     notwithftanding 
popular  prejudice  and   apprehenfion,   the   captain 
and  fix  of  his  men  were  acquitted,  two  only 'being 
found  guilty   of  manfiaughter."t     It  appeared  on 

*    Rarjfav,   J'oL   I  p.  £zj — 90. 

'\  Htf  of  the  American  Revolution  from  tie  Et!CjclopeJiat  p   \  26* 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  261 

the  trial,  that  the  foldiers  were  abufed,  infulted,  1770. 
threatened  and  pelted  before  they  fired.  It  was 
alfo  proved,  that  only  feven  guns  were  fired  by 
the  eighr  prifoners.  Thefe  circumdances  induced 
the  jury  to  make  a  favorable  verdict.  The  refult 
of  this  verdia  refleaed  great  honor  on  John 
Adams  and  Jonah  Quincy,  Efqrs.  the  prifoners' 
council;  gentlemen  who  had  invariably  devoted 
the  warmed  zeal,  and  the  mod  fplendid  talents, 
to  the  caufe  of  freedom  ;  and  alfo  on  the  integrity 
of  the  jury,  who  ventured  to  give  an  upright  ver- 
dici:, in  defiance  of  popular  opinions.* 

THE  confequences  of  this  tragical  event  were  1771- 
made  fubfervient  to  important  purpofes.  Eloquent 
orators  were  fucceffively  employed  to  deliver  an 
annual  oration  on  this  occafion.  Thefe  orations 
were  expreffed  in  energetic  language  :  and  height- 
ened the  enthufiafm  for  liberty,  which  pervaded 
the  great  body  of  the  people, 

AT  this  period,  the  inhabitants  of  MafTachufetts 
were  highly  irritated,  by  the  provision  which  was 
made  in  Great-Britain,  for  paying  the  falaries  of  the 
governor  and  judges  by  the  crown,  and  thus  ren- 
dering them  independent  of  the  people.  This  was 
rcfented  as  a  dangerous  innovation,  as  an  infrao 
tion  of  their  charter,  and  as  deftroying  that  balance 
of  power,  which  is  efTential  to  free-  governmem.f 

WHILST  the  province  of  Maflachufetts  was  ac-  1772, 
tive  in  refiding  the  encroachments  made  upon  their 
liberties,  the  inhabitants  of  Rhode-Ifland  manifed- 
ed    a     fimilar   fpirit.      The    Gafpee,    an   armed 

*  Ram  fay,  lroL  I  p.   91.       f  Ibid, 


262  rfl  STORY    OF 

1772.  fchooner,  which  had  been  ftat'oned  at  Providence, 
x"'~v^'  was  burnt,  and  lieutenant  Dudington,  the  com- 
mander, was  wounded  by  a  party,  who  were  exaf- 
perated  at  the  vigilance  he  had  exhibited  in  the 
execution  of  his  office.  A  reward  of  five  hun- 
dred pounds,  together  with  a  pardon,  if  claimed 
"by  an  accomplice,  was  offered  by  proclamation  for 
diicovering  and  apprehending  any  of  the  perfons 
concerned  ;  but  fo  agreeable  was  this  action  to  the 
people,  that  not  one  man  was  found  to  accept  the 
offered  reward.* 

X773.  WHILST  fucceffive  irritations  kept  alive  the  con- 
^^J  tention  between  Great-Britain  and  the  colonies, 
a  fpecies  of  warfare  was  carried  on  in  MafTachu- 
fetts,  between  the  royal  governors  and  provincial 
afTemblies,  and  each  watched  the  other  with  flrong 
jealoufy  and  didruft.  This  year  the  public  difturb- 
anccs  in  that  province,  were  greatly  heightened  by 
a  difcovery  of  foine  confidential  letters,  written  by 
governor  Hutchinfon,  lieutenant-governor  Oliver 
and  others,  to  leading  characters  in  England, 
complaining  of  the  behavior  of  the  province,  re^ 
commending  vigorous  meafures  againil  them  ;  af- 
ferting  that  "  there  mujl  be  an  abridgment  of  what 
is  called  Britijh  liberty  ;  and  that  there  was  a  nc- 
ceffity  cf  changing  the  chartered  fyjlems  of  govern- 
ment,  to fe cure  their  obedience"  Thefe  letters  fell 
into  the  hands  of  Dr.  Franklin,  agent  of  Mauachu- 
fetts,  who  tranfrnitted  them  to  Bofton.  The  in- 
dignation of  the  people  was  excited  to  fuch  a  de- 
gree, that  the  houfe  of  aflembly  difpatched  a  peti- 

*  Gordon,  frol.  I.  p.  311,   312. 


N  E  W  .  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  263 

tion  and  remonftrance  to  the  king,  in  which  they  1773* 
charged  the  governor  and  lieutenant-governor  with 
betraying  their  truft,  and  giving  falfe  information. 
They  aifo   requefted  their    fpeedy   removal  from 
their  places, 

THIS  petition  and  remonftrance  was  tranfmitted 
to  England,  and  difcufTed  before  his  majefty's  pri- 
vy-council. After  an  hearing  before  that  board, 
the  governor  and  lieutenant-governor  were  acquit- 
ted.* 

IN  order  to  cement  a  union  among  the  colonies, 
a  committee  of  correfpondence  was,  at  this  event- 
ful period,  revived  in  Bofton,  Connecticut,  New- 
Hampfhire  and  Rhode-lfland.  This  inftitution  in- 
creafed  their  refolution  to  refift  the  impofitions  of 
the  Britirti  miniftry. 

*  Ram/ay,  Vol.  /.  />.  92.     Sie  Speeches  cf  governor  Hutckinfon 
to  the  Council  of  MaffachuJgtts-Bay. 


HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER     XXII. 

The  Eaft-India  company  fend  tea  to  America.  The 
tea  thrown  into  the  fca  at  Bojhn.  Proceedings  of 
the  Britijh  "parliament.  Lofton  port-bill \  and  other 
arbitrary  acts..  Meafures  taken  by  Maffachnfetts 
to  cement  the  union  of  the  colonies.  General  Gage 
appointed  governor  and  commander  in  chief.  Con- 
tributions raifedfor  the  dijireffes  of  Bojion.  Gen- 
erous behavior  of  Salem  and  Marblchead.  Qppo- 
fition  of  the  -people  to  the  new  councilors.  General 
Gage  fortifies  Baft  on  neck.  Of  the  fpirited  behav- 

.    tor  of  Maffhchufetts.     Thai  province  calls  a  prc- 
widal  congrefs.     Of  their  proceedings. 


A 


T  the  period  when  the  duties  on, 
glafs,  paper,  and  painteis*  colors  were  repealed  5 
the  only  reafon  affigned  by  the  Britifh  minifter 
for  retaining  that  on  tea,  was  to  fupport  the  par- 
liament's right  of  taxation.  The  Americans, 
therefore,  to  be  confident  with  themfelves,  in  de- 
nying their  right,  difcontinued  the  importation  of 
that  commodity.  The  American  merchants,  how- 
ever, found  means  of  fupplying  their  countrymen 
with  this  article,  !  fmuggled  from  countries  td 
which  the  power  of  Britain  did  not  extend.* 

THE  Eaft-India  company,  feeling  the  bad  efFe&s 
of  the  colonial  fmugglhig  trade,  in  the  large  quan- 
tities of  tea,  which  remained  in  their  warehoufes 

roL   /,  p,   95, 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  265 

unfold,  requefted  the  repeal  of  the  three  pence  per  1773. 
pound  in  America ;  and  offered  that,  on  its  being 
complied  with,  government  mould  retain  fix  pence 
in  the  pound  on  the  exportation.  Thui  the  com- 
pany prefented  the  happiefl  opportunity,  that  could 
have  been  offered,  for  honorably  removing  the 
caufe  of  difference  with  America,  without  infring- 
ing the  claims  on  either  fide.  The  minifter  was 
requefted  and  entreated,  by  a  gentleman  of  great 
weight  in  the  company,  and  a  member  of  parlia- 
ment, to  embrace  this  method;  but  it  was  oblti- 
nateiy  rejected* 

NEW  contrivances  were  fet  on  foot,  to  intro- 
duce the  tea,  attended  with  the  duty,  into  all  the 
colonies.  Various  intrigues  and  folicitations  were 
ufed  to  induce  the  Eaft-India  company  to  under- 
take this  rafli  and  foolifli  bufmefs.  It  was  proteft- 
ed  againft,  as  contrary  to  the  principle  of  the  com- 
pany's monopoly  ;  but  the  power  of  the  miniftry 
prevailed,  and  the  infignificant  duty  of  three  pence 
per  pound  on  tea  was  doomed  to  be  the  fatal  caufe 
of  contention  between  Great-Britain  and  her  colo- 
nies. 

A  BILL  was  palTed  into  an  acl,  for  enabling  the 
Eaft-India  company  to  export  their  own  teas  ;  in 
confequence  of  which  they  fent  fix  hundred  chefls 
of  tea  to  Philadelphia,  the  like  quantity  to  New- 
York  and  to  Boflon,  befides  what  was  configned 
to  other  places.  Several  (hips  were  alfo  freighted 
for  different  colonies,  and  agents  appointed  for  the 
difpofal  of  the  commodity.* 

*   Gordon ,  Vol.  I  p.  324,   325. 
K  k 


26S  ft  I  STORY    OF 

1773,  THE  fir  ft  oppofition  to  the  execution  of  tfee 
^^^  fcheme  adopted  by  the  Kail-India  company,  began 
with  the  American  merchants.  They  law  a  pro- 
fitable branch  of  their  tirade  likely  to  be  loft,  and 
the  benefits  of  it  to  be  transferred  to  people  in 
Great-Britain.  They  alfo  felt  for  the  wound,  that 
would  be  inflicted  on  their  country's  claim  of  ex- 
emption from  parliamentary  taxation.  The  great 
body  of  the  people,  from  principles  of  the  pufeft 
patriotifm,  were  indnced  to  feconcl  their  wifhes. 
They  confidered  the  whole  fchenie,  as  calculated 
to  feduce  them  into  an  acquiefcence  with  the  views 
of  parliament,  for  railing  an  American  revenue. 

THE  colonifts  reaibned  with  themfelves,  that  as 
the  duty  and  the  price  of  the  eom-modity  were  in* 
ieparably  blended,  if  the  tea  was  fold,  every  pur- 
chafer  would  pay  a  tax  imposed  by  the  Britiih  par- 
liament. To  obviate  this  evil,  and  to  prevent  the 
liberties  of  a  great  country  from  being  facrificed 
by  inconfiderate  purchaiers,  meaiures  were  uclopt- 
ed  to  prevent  tlie  landing  of  their  cargoes.  The 
tea  confignees,  appointed  by  the  Eafl-India  compa- 
ny, were,  in  feveral  places,  compelled  to  idm~ 
quiih  their  appointments,  and  no  others  could  be 
found  who  dared  to  aft  in  their  capacity.  The 
pilots  in  the  river  Delaware  were  warned  not  to 
conducl  any  of  the  tca-fhips  into  their  harbor. 
The  whole  cargoes  of  tea  were  returned  from 
New-York  and  Philadelphia,  and  that,  which  v,a? 
fent  to  Charleflon,  was  landed  and  florcd,  but 
3iot  offered  for  fale.* 

*  P.UK/ej,  ViL  /./.  9.7. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  2-67 

IT  was  other  wife  in   Mafiachufetts.      The   tea-  1773. 
fliips,  de  figned  for  the  fupply  of  Bofton,  were  con-  (*^>r>J 
figned  to  the  fons.   eoufms    and  particular  friends 
of  governor  Hutchinfon.     When  they  were  called 
upon  to  refign,  they  anfw^red,   "  that  it  was  out  of 
their  power."     The    collector   refufed    to    give  a 
clearance,  unlefs  the  vefTels  were   difcharged  of 
dutiable  articles.     The  governor  refufed  to  give  a 
pafs  for  the  veffels,  unlefs  properly  qualified  from, 
the  cudom-houfe.     The  governor  likewife  requefU 
ed  admiral  Montague  to  guard  the  paffages  out  of 
the  harbor,   and  gave  orders  to  fuffer  no  veffels, 
coafters  excepted,  to  pafs  the  fortrefs   from  the 
town,  without  a  pafs  figned  by  himfelf.     From  g, 
combination  of  thefe  circumflances,  the  return  of 
the  tea- veffels  from  Boflon,  was  rendered  impoffiU 
ble.     The  fons  of  liberty  were  apprehenfive   that 
if  this  article  was  landed  and  ftored,  it  would  ob- 
tain a  fale ;  and  were  induced  to  venture  upon  a 
defperate  remedy.     About  feventeen  perfons,  dref- 
fed  as  Indians,  repaired   to  the   tea-ihips,  broke 
open    three  hundred  and  forty-two  chelis,    and, 
without  doing  any  other  damage,  difcharged  their 
contents  into   the  water.* 

INTELLIGENCE  of  thefe  proceedings  was,  on  1774* 
the  7th  of  March,  communicated,  in  a  meffagc 
from  the  throne,  to  both  houfes  of  parliament. 
In  this  communication,  the  conduct  of  the  colonifts 
was  reprefented  as  not  only  cbftrufting  the  com*- 
rnerce  of  Great-Britain,  but  as  fubverfive  of  its 
conftitution.  The  meffage  was  accompanied  with 

t  Vol.   1.  p.  99. 


263  HISTORY    OF 

1774.  a  number  of  papers,  containing  copies  and  extracts 
of  letters  from  the  feveral  royal  governors  and 
others,  from  which  it  appeared  that  the  oppofition. 
to  the  fale  of  the  tea  was  not  peculiar  to  MaiTa- 
chufetts,  but  common  to"  all  the  colonies.* 

IT  was  well  known  that  the  throwing  of  the  tea 
into  the  water  did  not  originate  with  the  perfons, 
who  were  the  immediate  inftruments  of  that  act  of 
violence  ;  that  the  whole  had  been  concerted  at 
a  public  meeting ;  and  was,  in  a  qualified  fenfe, 
the  act  of  the  town.  The  parliament  of  Great- 
Britain  were  transported  with  indignation  againft 
the  people  of  Boflon  ;  and  confidered  this  a  pro- 
per moment  for  humbling  them,  and  taking  re- 
venge for  the  oppofition,  which  they  had  long  ex- 
hibited againft  their  authority. 

DISREGARDING  the  forms  of  her  own  conflitu- 
tion,  by  which  none  are  to  be  condemned  unheard, 
or  punifhed  without  a  trial,  a  bill  was  finally  palled, 
on  the  1 7th  day  after  it  was  firft  moved  for,  by 
which  the  port  of  Bofton  was  virtually  blocked  up  ; 
for  it  was  legally  precluded  from  the  privilege' of 
landing  and  difcharging,  or  of  lading  and  (hipping 
of  goods,  wares  and  merchandize. 

SOON  after  a  bill  was  introduced,  "  for  the  bet- 
ter regulating  the  government  of  the  MafTachufetts- 
Bay."  The  purport  of  it  was,  to  alter  the  conftitu- 
tion  of  the  province,  to  take  the  whole  executive 
power  out  of  the  hands  of  the  democratic  part,  and 
to  veil  the  nomination  of  counfdlors,  judges,  and 
magistrates  of  all  kinds,  including  fheriffs,  in  the 

*   Ramfiy,  Vol.  I  p.    101. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  269 

crown,  and  in  fome  cafes  in  the  king's  governor  j  1774. 
and  all  to  be  remove-able  at  the  royal  pleafure.* 

THE  miniftry  of  Great-Britain  were  apprehen- 
five  that  riots  would  take  place  in  attempting  the 
execution  of  the  above  mentioned  acts.  A  bill 
was  therefore  paifed  "  for  the  impartial  adminiftra- 
tion  of  juftice  in  the  cafes  of  perfons  queftioned  for 
any  acts  done  by  them  in  the  execution  of  the  law, 
or  for  the  fuppreffion  of  riots  and  tumults  in  the 
Maffachufetts-Bay."  This  bill  provided,  that  in 
cafe  any  perfon  was  indicted  in  that  province  for 
muider,  or  any  other  capital  offence,  and  it  mould 
appear  to  the  governor,  that  the  fact  was  commit- 
ted in  the  exercife  or  aid  of  magistracy  in  fuppref- 
fing  tumults  and  riots,  and  that  a  fair  trial  could 
not  be  had  in  the  province,  he  mould  fend  the  per- 
fon  fo  indicted,  to  any  other  colony,  or  to  Great- 
Britain,  to  be  tried.f 

BEFORE  the  parliament  concluded  this  memora- 
ble feflion,  they  parTed  an  aft  "  for  making  more 
effect ual  provifion  for  the  government  of  the  pro* 
vince  of  Quebec,  in  North- America.5*  By  this  act, 
the  government  of  that  province  was  made  to  ex* 
tend  fouthward  to  the  Ohio,  weftward,  to  the 
banks  of  the  MifTifippi,  and  northward,  to  the 
boundary  of  the  Hudfon's-bay  company.  The 
principal  objects  of  this  act  were,  to  form  a  legifla- 
tive  council  for  all  the  affairs  of  the  province,  ex- 
cept taxation,  which  council  mould  be  appointed 
by  the  crown  ;  the  office  to  be  held  during  pleafure, 
-  and  his  majefly's  Roman  Catholic  fubjects  to  be 

*  Gn-dja.    Vol.  I.  p.  353.     f  Ram/ay,  Vsl.  L  p.  no, 


H  I  S  T  O  11  Y    O  F 

f  774.  entitled  to  a  place  therein ;  to  eftablifh  the  French 
laws,  and  a  trial    without  jury  in  civil  cafes,  and 
the  Englifh  laws,  with  a  trial  by  jury,  in  criminal ; 
to  fecure  to  the  Roman  Catholic  clergy,  except  the 
^regulars,    the   legal   enjoyment   of  their   eftates, 
and  their  tythes  from  all,  who  were  of  their  religion. 
No  fooner  were  thefe  opprefljve   laws  published 
in  America,  than  they  cemented  the  union  of  the 
colonies  almoft  beyond  the  poffibility  of  diflblving 
it,  and  heightened  the  oppofition  to  the  arbitrary 
proceedings  of  the  Britifh  miniftry.      Copies  of  a 
vote,  which  the  town  of  Boiton  pafled,   foon  after 
they  received  the  news  of  the  port-bill,  to  engage 
the  other  colonies  to  flop    all  importation  from 
Great-Britain  and  the  Weil-Indies,  till  the  aft  for 
blocking  up  this  harbor  be  repealed,  were  tranf- 
mitted  from  (late  to  date.     Pamphlets,  eiTays,  ad- 
dreffes,   and    newfpaper  diflertations,  were  daily 
prefented  to  the  public,  proving  that  MafTachufetts 
was  fuflcring  in  the  common  caufe,  and  that  inter- 
eft  and  policy,   as  well  as  good  neighborhood,  re- 
quired the  united  exertions  of  all  the  colonies,  in 
fupport  of  that  much  injured  province.* 

IN  the  three  firft  months,  which  followed  the 
(hutting  up  of  the  port  of  Bofton,  the  inhabitants 
of  the  colonies,  in  hundreds  of  fmall  circles,  as 
well  as  in  their  provincial  affemblies  and  congrefles, 
exprefled  their  abhorrence  of  the  late  proceedings 
of  the  Britifh  parliament  againft  Miiflachufetts,  their 
concurrence  in  the  propofed  meafure  of  appointing 
deputies  for  a  general  congrefs,  and  tjieir  willing- 

*  Ramfay,  Vol.  L  j>*  112,  113. 


NE  W.ENGLAND,  271 

nefs  to  do  and  fufFer  whatever   fhould  be  judged  1774. 
conducive  to  the  eftablifhment  of  their  liberties. 

WHILE  the  combination  of  the  other  colonies 
to  fupport  Bofton  was  gaining  ftrengtli,  new  mat- 
ter of  difTenfion  daily  took  place  in  Maflachufetts. 
The  refolution  for  {hutting  the  port  of  Bofton,  was 
no  fooner  taken,  than  it  was  determined  to  order 
a  military  force  to  that  town-.  General  Gage,  the 
commander  in  chief  of  the  royal  forces  in  North- 
America,  was  alfo  fent  thither  in  the  additional 
capacity  of  governor  of  Maflaehufetts.  He  arriv- 
ed in  Bofton  on  the  third  day  after  the  inhabitants 
received  the  firft  intelligence  of  the  Bofton  port- 
bill.  Though  the  people  were  irritated  by  that 
meafure,  and  though  their  republican  jealoufy  was 
hurt  by  the  combination  of  the  civil  and  military 
,characler  in  one  perfon,  yet  the  general  was  re- 
ceived with  all  the  honors,  which  had  been  ufually 
paid  to  his  predeceilbrs.  Soon  after  his  arrival, 
two  regiments  of  foot,  with  a  detachment  of  artil- 
lery and  fome  cannon,  were  landed  in  Bofton. 
Thefe  troops  were,  by  degrees,  reinforced  with 
others  from  Ireland,  New-York,  Halifax  and 
Quebec.* 

THE"  governor  announced,  that  he  had  the 
king's  particular  command  for  holding  the  gener- 
al court  at  Salem,  after  the'ift  of  June.  When 
that  eventful  day  arrived,  the  aft  for  fhutting  up 
the  port  of  Bofton  commenced  its  operation. 
This  day  was  devoutly  kept  at  Williamiburgh,  in 
Virginia,  as  a  day  of  failing  and  humiliation.  In, 

•   Rwjay,  V»L   If.  122, 


272  HIS  T  CRY    O  !>' 

1774.  Philadelphia,  it  was  folemnized  with  every  mani- 
feftation  of  public  calamity.,  It  was  obferved  in 
other  places  as  a  day  of  mourning. 

THE  inhabitants  of  Bofton,  who  had  hitherto 
lived  in -affluence,  were,  by  the  bill  for  blocking 
up  their  port,  deprived  of  all  means  of  fubfiftcnce. 
They  fuftained  this  fatal  blow  with  inflexible  forti- 
tude ;  and  their'  determination  to  perfift  in  the 
fame  line  of  conducl,  which  had  been  the  occa- 
fion  of  their  fufferings,  was  unabated. 

LIBERAL  contributions  for  the  diftrefles  of  the 
Boftonians,  had  been  raifed  through  America  5 
and  they  were  regarded  as  fufferers  for  the  com- 
mon caufe  of  liberty.  The  inhabitants  of  Salem, 
in  an  addrefs  to  governor  Gage,  concluded  with 
thefe  noble  and  dHinterefted  expreflions  :  "  By 
/hutting  up  the  port  of  Bofton,  fome  imagine  that 
the  courfe  of  trade  might  be  turned  hither,  and  to 
our  benefit.  But  nature,  in  the  formation  of  our 
harbor,  forbids  our  becoming  rivals. in  commerce 
with  that  convenient  mart ;  and  were  it  other  wife, 
we  muft  be  dead  to  every  idea  of  juftice,  and  loft 
to  all  feelings  of  humanity,  could  we  indulge 
the  thought  of  feizing  on  wealth,  and  railing 
our  fortunes  on  the  ruins  of  our  fullering  neiuh- 

O  G 

.bors."* 

THE  people  of  Marblehead  generoufly  offered 
the  merchants  of  Bofton  the  ufe  of  their  harbor, 
whaives,  warehoufes,  arid  alfo  their  peribnal  attend- 
ance on  the  lading  or  unlading  of  their  goods, 
free  from  all  expence. 

*   Rain  fay  ^   I'ol  ],p*  123.      Gordon. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  AN  D.  273 

THE-Boftonians  were,  by  thefe  meafurl,)  encou-  17/4* 
raged  and   fupported  in  their  oppofition  to  Britim- 
tyranny.      Their  committee  of  correfpondence  ap- 
prehended themfelves  fo  fixed  in  the  good  opinion 
of  the  public,  that  they  ventured  to  frame  and  pub* 
liih  an  agreement  entitled  a  folcmn  covenant.     The 
fubfcribers  of  this  bound  themfelves  to  fufpend  all 
commercial  intercourfe  with  Great-Britain,  till  the 
late  obnoxious  laws  were  repealed,  and  the  colony 
of  Maffachufetts  reflored  to  its  chattered  rights.* 

GEN.  Gage  attempted,  in  vain,  to  counteract 
this  plan  by  a  proclamation,  which  declared  it  an 
unlawful  artd  traitorous  combination ;  and  threat- 
ened all  who  fubfcribed  or  countenanced  it  with 
penalties  of  legal  profecution. 

THE  people  continued  to  defend  their  privileges 
with  inflexible  refolution.  Several  of  the  new 
counsellors  declined  an  acceptance  of  the  appoint- 
ment. Thofe  who  accepted  were  obliged  to  refign 
their  offices,  in  order  to  preferve  their  lives  and 
properties  from  the  fury  of  the  multitude.  The  new 
Judges  were  rendered  incapable  of  proceeding  in 
their  official  duty.  Upon  opening  the  courts, 
the  juries  refufed  to  be  fworn,  or  to  act  in  any 
manner,  either  under  them,  or  in  conformity  to  the 
late  regulations.  In  fome  places,  the  people  af- 
fembled,  and  tilled  the  court-houfes  and  avenues  to 
them  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  neither  the  judges, 
nor  their  officers  could  obtain  entrance  ;  and  upon 
the  fherifPs  commanding  them  to  make  way  for 

*  Ran  fay,  fat.  I.  J>.  127. 
L  i 


274  HISTORY    OF 

1774.  the  court,  they  anfwered,  "that  they  krtew  no 
court  independent  of  the  ancient  laws  of  their  coun- 
try, and  to  none  other  would  they  fubmit/' 

THE  proceedings  and  apparent  difpofitions  of 
the  people,  together  with  the  military  preparations 
which  were  daily  made  through  the  province,  in- 
duced General  Gage  to  fortify  the  neck  of  land 
which  joins  Bofton  to  the  continent.  He  alfo  feiz- 
ed  upon  the  powder  which  was  lodged  in  the  arfe- 
nal  at  Charleftown.* 

THIS  excited  a  mod  violent  and  uruverfal  fer- 
ment. Several  thoufands  of  the  people  affembled 
at  Cambridge,  and  with  difficulty  were  they  ref- 
trained  from  marching  directly  to  Boilon,  to  de- 
mand a  delivery  of  the  powder,  with  a  refolution, 
in  cafe  of  refusal,  to  attack  the  troops. 

THE  people  thus  aflembled,  proceeded  to  lieu- 
tenant-governor Oliver's  houfe,  and  to  the  houfes 
of  fever al  of  the  new  counfellors,  and  obliged 
them  to  refign,  and  to  declare  that  they  would  no 
more  act  under  the  laws  lately  enacted.  In  the 
confufioa  of  thefe  tranfactions,  a  rumor  was 
fpread,  that  the  royal  fleet  and  troops  were  firing 
upon  the  town  of  Bofton.  This  was  probably  de- 
figned  by  the  popular  leaders  on  purpofe  to  afcer- 
tain  what  afliftance  they  might  expect  from  the 
country,  in  cafe  of  extremities.  The  refult  exceed- 
ed their  mod  fanguine  expectations.  In  lefs  than 
twenty-four  hours  there  were  upwards  of  thirty 
thoufand  men  in  arms,  and  marching  towards  the 
Other  rifmgs  of  the  people  took  place  m 

*..  Ramjayt  Pa/.   I  /.    127, 


NEW-EN  GLAND,  275 

different  parts  of  the  colony,  and  their  violence  was  1774- 
fuch,  that  in  a  (hort  time  the  new  counfellors,  the 
commiflioneis  of  the  cuftoms,   and   all  who  had 
taken  an  a&ive  part  in  favor  of  Great-Britain,  were 
obliged  to  fcreen  themfelves  in  Bofton.* 

ABOUT  this  period,  the  governor's  company  of 
cadets,  confiding  of  Bofton  gentlemen,  difbanded 
themfelves,  and  returned  him  the  ftandard  he  prefent- 
ed  to  them  upon  his  arrival  ;  on  account  of  his  de- 
priving Mr.  Hancock,  who  was  colonel  of  the 
corps,  of  his  commiflion.  A  fimilar  imtance  alfo 
occurred,  upon  a  provincial  colonel's  acceptance 
of  a  feat  in  the  new  council,  in  confequence  of 
•which,  twenty-four  officers  of  his  regiment  refign- 
ed  their  commiflions  in  one  day.f 

ABOUT  this  time,  delegates  from  every  town 
and  diftriclin  the  county  of  Suffolk,  of  which  Bof- 
ton is  the  (hire  town,  had  a  meeting,  in  which  they 
prefaced  a  number  of  fpirited  refolves,  with  a  ge- 
neral declaration,  "  that  no  obedience  was  due 
from  the  province  to  either,  or  any  part  of  faid 
afts,  but  that  they  mould  be  rejected,  as  the  at- 
tempts  of  a  wicked  adminiftration  to  enflavs 
America. 

GOVERNOR  Gage  had  hTued  writs  for  holding  a 
general  aifembly  at  Salem  ;  but  fi>bfequent  events, 
and  the  violence  which  every  where  prevailed, 
made  him  think  it  expedient  to  counteract  the 
writs  by  a  ^proclamation  for  fufpending  the  meet* 
ing  of  the  members.  This  meaiure,  however,  was 
deemed  illegal  ;  the  affembly  convened  at  Salem, 

*  Ramfay,  fol.   I.  p.  128.     f  G<,rdont  Vol.  /.  p.  389. 


HISTORY    OF 

1774.  and,  after  waiting  a  day  for  the  governor,  voted 
themielves  into  a  piovincial  congrefs,  of  which 
Mr.  Hancock  was  chofen  prefident.  A  committee 
was  inftantly  appointed,  who  waited  on  the  gover- 
nor,, with  a  remonftrance  concerning  the  fortifica- 
tions of  Bofton  neck.  In  the  governor's  reply,  he 
exprefted  indignation  at  the  idea  that  the  lives, 
liberties  or  property  of  the  people  could  be  endan- 
gered by  Englifh  troops,  and  warned  the  aflembly 
to  defifl  from  their  proceedings,  which  he  filled  il- 
legal and  unconditional.* 

THE  governor's  admonitions  were  unavailing. 
The  provincial  congrefs  appointed  a  committee 
to  draw  up  a  plan  for  the  immediate  defence  of 
the  province.  It  was  refolvcd  to  enlift  a  number 
of  the  inhabitants  under  the  name  of  minute-men^ 
who  were  to  be  under  obligations  to  turn  out  at  a 
minute's  warning.  Three  general  officers  were 
elected  to  command  thefe  minute-men  and  the  mi- 
litia, in  cafe  they  fhould  be  called  out  into  action. 
A  committee  of  fafety,  and  a  committee  of  fup- 
plies  were  appointed,  The  firfl  was  inverted  with 
an  authority  to  ailemble  the  militia  when  they 
thought  proper,  and  were  to  recommend  to  the 
committee  of  fupplies  the  purchafe  of  fuch  articles 
as  the  public  exigencies  required;  (he  lad  were 
limited  to  the  itnall  fuin  of  fifteen  thoufand  fix 
hundred  and  twenty-feven  pounds,  fifteen  /hil- 
lings, fterling,  which  was  all  the  money  at  firfl 
voted  to  oppofe  the  power  and  wealth  of  Great- 
Britain.  Under  this  authority,  and  with  thefe 

*  Ramfay,  fol.  I  p.   129. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  277 

means,  the  committees  of  fefety,  and  of  fupplies,  1774. 
acting  in   concert,  laid  in  a   quantity   of  ftoreSj. 
partly  at  Worcefter,  and  partly  at  Concord. 

AFTER  a  fhort  adjournment,  the  fame  congrefe 
met  again,  and  foon  after  reiblved  to  get  in  readi- 
nefs  twelve  thoufand  men,  to  acl  on  any  emer^ 
gency,  and  that  a  fourth  part  of  the  militia  mould 
be  enlifted  as  minute-men,  and  receive  pay.  John 
Thomas  and  William  Heath  were  appointed  gen- 
eral officers.  They  alfo  fent  peribns  to  New- 
Hampfaire,  Rhode-Iiland  and  Conne&icut,  to  in- 
form them  of  the  meafures  they  had  taken,  and  to 
requeft  their  co-operation  in  collecting. an  army  of 
twenty  thoufand  men.  Committees  from  thefe  fev- 
eral  colonies  met,  with  a  committee  fiom  the  pro- 
vincial congrefs  of  Mailachufetts,  and  fettled  their 
plans.  The  proper  period  of  commencing  oppo- 
fition  to  General  Gage's  troops,  was  determined 
to  be,  whenever  they  marched  out  with  their  bag- 
gage, ammunition  and  artillery.* 

THROUGHOUT  this  whole  feafon,  the  provincial 
congrefs  exercifed  all  the  femblance  of  govern- 
ment which  exiftcd  in  Mafiachufetts.  From  their 
coincidence  with  the  prevailing  difpofition  of  the 
people,  their  refolutions  had  the  weight  and  ef-, 
iicacy  of  laws.  Under  the  fimple  ftyle  of  recom- 
mendations, they  organized  the  militia,  made  or- 
dinances refpeetmg  public  monies,  and  fuch  fur- 
ther regulations  as  were  neceflary  for  preserving 
order,  and  for  defending  themfelves  againft  th$ 
Britifli  troops. f 

*   Ramfay,   Vgl   1.  p>  130.      f    ^'^ 


HISTORY    OF 


1774-  DURING  thefe  tranfadions  in  Maflachufetts,  ef- 
fectual meafures  had  been  taken  by  the  colonies 
for  convening  a  continental  co'ngrefs,  which  was, 
at  this  period,  in  feffion  at  Philadelphia.  The 
proceedings  of  this  auguft  affembly  will  be  related 
jn  the  fubfec>uent  chapter^* 


NEW-ENGL  ANB. 


CHAPTER    XXIH. 

The  continental  congrefs  convened  at  Philadelphia,  Of 
their  proceedings.  Meafures  taken  by  the  Britt/h 
parliament.  The  colonies  prepare  for  war. 

HE  meafures  purfued  by  the  Britlfh  1774. 
miniftry  for  fubjeding  America  to  parliamentary  au- 
thority,  in  all  cafes  whatever,  united  the  twelve 
colonies,  from  New-Hampfhire  to  South-Carolina, 
mclufively,  into  a  compacl  body.  Within  four 
months  from  the  day  in  which  the  firft  intelligence 
of  the  Bofton  port-bill  reached  America,  the  depu- 
ties of  eleven  provinces  had  convened  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  in  four  days  more,  by  the  arrival  of  de- 
legates from  North-Carolina,  there  was  a  complete 
reprefentation  of  twelve  colonies,  containing  near- 
ly three  millions  of  people,  dhTeminated  over  two 
hundred  and  fixty  thoufand  fquare  miles  of  territo- 
ry. Some  of  the.-  delegates  were  appointed  by  the 
conflitutional  afTemblies  ;  in  other  provinces,  wher« 
they  were  embarrafied  by  royal  governors,  the 
appointments  were  made  in  voluntary  meetings  of 
the  people.* 

ONE  half  of  the  deputies  which  formed  the  congreft 
tf  1774  lucre  lawyers.  Gentlemen  of  that  pro* 
fellion  had  acquired  the  confidence  of  the  inhabit- 
ants, by  their  exertions  in  the  common  caufe.  The 
previous  meafures  in  the  refpeclive  provinces  had 

*   Rarnjaj,  Vol.  </.  ^    133. 


2So  HIS  T  CRY    O  F 

1774.  been  planned  and  carried  into  effect,  more  by  law* 
yers  than  by  any  other  order  of  men.  The  novelty 
and  importance  of  this  afiembly  excited  univerfai 
attention ;  and  their  tranfadions  rendered  them 
truly  refpeclable.  "Perhaps,"  lave  Dr.  Ramfay, 
"  there  never  was  a  body  of  delegates  more  faithful 
to  the  intcrefls  of  their  conftituents  than  the  con- 
grefs  of  1/74.  The  public  voice  elevated  none  to 
a  feat  in  that  augufk  arlembly,  but  luch  as,  in  addi- 
tion to  confiderable  abilities,  porTeiTed  that  afcend- 
ency  over  the  minds  of  their  fellow  citizens,  which 
can  neither  be  acquired  by  birth,  nor  purchafed  by 
wealth."41 

ON  the  meeting  of  co-ngrefs,  they  chofe  Peyton 
Randolph  their  prefident,  and  Charles  Thompfoa 
their  fecretary.  They  agreed,  as  one  of  their  rules 
of  doing  bufmefs,  that  no  entry  fhould  be 
made  on  their  journals  of  any  propofuions  difcuiled 
before  them,  to  which  they  did  not  finally  aiient.f 

THE  Suffolk  refolutions  were  tranfmitted  to 
congrefs,  after  which  that  affembly  unanimoufly  re- 
folved,  that  "  they  mod  thoroughly  approved  the 
wifdom  and  fortitude  with  which  opposition  to 
xvicked  minifterial  mealures  had  been  hitherto  con- 
ducted in  MafTachufetts,  and  recommended  to  them 
perieverance  in  the  fame  firm  and  temperate  con- 
dud." 

IN  their  fubfequent  refolutions  they  declared, 
"  that  if  the  late  acts  of  parliament  ihall  be  at- 
tempted to  be  carried  into  execution  by  force, .  all 
America  ought  to  fuppoit  the  inhabitants  of  Tsbi' 

*   Ran/ay,  Vol.  I.  />.  i  ;r      -J-   Hid,  p.  134. 


NE  W-EN  GLAND.  28: 

fachufetts-Bay  in  their  oppofuion :  that,  if  it  be  1774. 
found  abfolutely  necefTary  to  remove  the  people  of 
Bofton  into  the  country,  all  America  ought  to  con- 
tribute  toward  recompenfmg  them  for  the  injury 
they  may  fuftain:  and  that  every  perfon,  who  fhall 
accept  or  act  under  any  commulion  or  authority  de- 
rived from  the  act  of  parliament,  changing  the 
form  of  government,  and  violating  the  charter, 
ought  to  be  held  in  deteftation." 

CONGRESS  next  addreffed  a  letter  to  General 
Gage,  in  which,  having  dated  the  grievances  of  the 
people  of  Maflachufetts  colony,  they  informed  him 
of  the  unalterable  determination  of  all  the  other 
provinces  to  fupport  their  brethren,  and  to  cppofe 
the  Britifh  acts  of  parliament ;  that  they  themfelves 
were  appointed  to  watch  over  the  liberties  of  Ame- 
rica. They  entreated  him  to  defifl  from  military 
operations,  left  hoftilities  might  be  brought  on,  and 
fr  uft  rate  all  hopes  of  reconciliation  with  the  parent 
ftate. 

CONGRESS,  foon  after  their  meeting,  agreed  up- 
on a  declaration  of  their  rights.  Thefe  they  fum- 
med  up  in  the  privileges  belonging  to  Englifhmen. 
They  declared,  "  that  the  foundation  of  Engliih 
liberty,  and  all  free  government,  was  a  right  in  the 
people  to  participate  in  their  legiflative  council,  and 
that  as  the  Englifli  colonifts  were  not,  and  could 
not  be  properly  reprefented  by  the  Britifh  parlia- 
ment, they  were  entitled  to  a  free  and  exclufivc 
power  of  legiflation  in  their  feveral  provincial  legif- 
latures,  in  all  cafes  of  taxation  and  internal  polity, 
M  m 


232  H  I  8  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1 774.  fubjeift  only  to  the  negative  of  their  fovereignJ"  They 
then  run  the  line,  between  the  fupremacy  of  par. 
liament,  and  the  independency  of  the  colonial  le- 
giilatures,  by  provisos  and  reflri&ions,  in  the  fol- 
k>wing  words-.  6S  But  from  the  neceflky  of  the  cafe, 
a  regard  to  the  mutual  interefls  of  both  countries, 
we  cheerfully  confent  to  the  operation  of  fuch  acls 
of  the  Britiili  parliament,  as  are  bmajide,  retrained 
to  the  regulation  of  our  external  commerce,  for  the 
purpofe  of  fecuring  the  commercial  advantages  of 
the  whole  empire  to  the  mother  country,  and  the 
commercial  benefits  of  its  refpe&we  members,  ex- 
cluding every  idea  of  taxation,  internal  and  exter- 
nal, for  raifing  a  revenue  on  the  fubjects  in  Ameri- 
ca, without  their  confent."* 

THEY  proceededy  in  behalf  of  theinfelves  and 
conftituents,  to  infill  on  the  foregoing  articles  as 
their  indisputable  rights,  \vhich  could  not  be  legal- 
ly taken  from  them,  altered,  o?  abridged  by  any 
power  whatever,  without  their  confent,  by  their 
reprefentatives,  in  their  feveral  provincial  legifla- 
tures. 

CONGRESS  then  refolved,  that  fimdry  acls  of  par- 
liament are  infringements  and  violations  of  the 
lights  of  the  cokmifls  ;  and  that  the  repeal  of  them 
is  elTentially  necefifary,  in  order  to  reflore  harmony 
between  Great-Britain  and  the  American  colonies. 
The  Canada  aft,  they  particularly  pointed  out,  as 
being  extremely  inimical  to  the  colonies,  by  \vhofe 
afTiflance  it  had  been  conquer ed.f 

*   Extrafl  from  the  proceedings  of  tie.  continental  cwgrfp,  :•.  S 
-J-  Rwfay,  VoL  1.  p.  1 40. 


N  E  W-  E  N  G  L-A  N  D.  283 

THEY  then  entered  into  an  afibciation,  by  which  1774- 


they  bound  therafelves  and  their  conftituents,  to 
difcontinue  the  importation  of  Britim  goods,  till  the 
late  obnoxious  a&s  of  parliament  were  repealed. 

THEIR  next  proceedings  were  to  frame  a  peti- 
tion to  the  king,  an  addrefs  to  the  Britim  nation,  to 
the  colonies,  and  to  the  French  inhabitants  of  Can- 
ada. A  Brkifh  author  obferves,  that,  "  thofe  pa- 
pers were  executed  with  uncommon  energy  and 
addrefs  ;  and  in  vigor  of  fentiment,  and  the  nerv- 
ous language  of  patriotifm,  would  not  have  di£. 
graced  any  affeinbly,  that  ever  exifted."* 

CONGRESS  having  finifhed  their  deliberations  im 
lefs  than  eight  weeks,  dhTolved  themfelves,  after 
giving  their  opinion,  "  That  another  congrefs 
fliould  be  held  on  the  i  cth  of  May  next  enfuing, 
at  Philadelphia,  unlefsthe  redrefs  of  their  grievances 
fhould  be  previoufiy  obtained." 

THE  refolutions  of  the  continental  congrefs 
wereJancliened  with  the  univerfal  approbation  of 
the  provincial  congrefs  and  fubordinate  commit- 
tees, which  were  every  where  inflituted  ;  and  infli- 
tutions  were  formed  under  their  direction,  to  car- 
ry their  refolves  into  efFetl.f 

THE  congreflional  proceedings  reached  Great-  1775. 
Britain  foon  after  the  new  parliament  was  conven- 
ed.  The  fpeech  from  the  thione,  at  the  meeting 
of  parliament,  reprefented  the  conduct  of  the 
Americans,  particularly  the  inhabitants  of  MafTa- 
chufetts-Bay,  in  the  mod  atrocious  light.  A  ma- 
jority of  both  houfes  were  refolved  to  compel  the 

*  See  tbefe  addreffet  in  the  proceedings  of  congrefs  +      See  Life  of 
the  Ear  {  of  Chatham,     •}    Rarnfay,  VoLI.  pt  l$Q. 


234  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1775.  colonies  to  obe.disnce  ;  but  a  refpeclable  minority 
(^^J  in  their  favor  were  ftrongly  feconded  by   the   mer- 
chants  and    manufacturers  through  the  kingdom, 
and  particularly  by  thofe  of  London  and  Briftol. 

LORD  Chatham  zealoufly  efpoufed  the  caufe  of 
the  Americans  ;  and  exerted  his  unrivalled  elo- 
quence in  the  houfe  of  lords,  in  order  to  diiTuade 
his  countrymen  from  attempting  to  fubjugate  them 
by  force  of  arms.  lie  introduced  the  fubject  with 
fome  general  obfervations  on  the  importance  of 
the  American  conteft.  He  enlarged  on  the  danger- 
ous events  that  were  coming  on  the  nation,  in  con-  , 
loquence  of- the  prefent  difpute.  He  arraigned  the 
conduct  of  the  minifters  with  great  feverity  ;  re- 
probated their  whole  fyftem  of  American  politics; 
and  moved  that  an  addrefs  be  prefented  to  his 
majefty,  moil  humbly  to  advife  and  befeech  him  to 
difpatch  orders  to  General  Gage,  to  remove  his 
majefly's  forces  from  the  town  of  Bofton.  His 
loidihip  f upper  ted  this  motion  in  a  pathetic  and 
animated  fpeech  j  but  it  was  rejected  by  a  great 
majority.* 

THE  petitions  from  the  Englifli  merchants  were 
prefented,  arid  configned  to  what  the  oppofuion 
termed,  the  committee  of  oblivion. 

A  PETITION  was  offered  by  Mr.  Bollan,  Dr. 
Franklin  and  Mr.  Lee,  three  American  agents, 
fetting  forth,  that  they  were  authorized  by  the 
American  continental  ccngrefs,  to  prefent  a  peti- 
tion from  the  congrefs  to  the  king  ;  which  his 
majefty  had  referred  to  that  houfe.  They  were 

*  Ram/ay,  VvL  J.  p.  157, 


N  E  W  •  E  N  G  L  A  N  D. 

enabled,  they  laid,  to  throw  great  light  upon  the  1775 
fubjed  ;  and  prayed  to  be  heard  at  the  bar  in  fup- 
port  of  it.  Their  application  was  treated  with  the 
utmoft  indifference  and  contempt.  The  motion 
for  receiving  the  petition  was  rejected  by  a  large 
majority** 

LORD  Chatham  perfevered  in  the  profecution  of 
his  conciliatory  fcheme  with  America,  and  accord- 
ingly  brought  into  the  houfe  of  lords  the  outlines 
of  a  bill,  which  he  hoped  would  anfwer  that  falu- 
tary  purpofe,  under  the  title  of  "  A  provifional 
act  for  fettling  the  troubles  in  America,  and  for  af- 
ferting  the  fupreme  legiflative  authority,  and  fuper- 
intending  power  of  Great-Britain  over  the  colonies/*  \ 

THIS  bill  legalized  the  holding  a  congrefs  in 
the  enfuing  May,  for  the  double  purpofe  of  recog- 
nizing the  fupreine  legiilative  authority,  and  fuper- 
intending  power  of  parliament  over  the  colonies, 
and  for  making  a  free  grant  to  the  king,  his  heirs 
and  fucceffors,  of  a  certain  and  perpetual  revenue, 
fubje£t  to  the  difpofitions  of  parliament,  and  appli- 
cable to  the  alleviation  of  the  national  debt.  On 
thefe  conditions,  it  retrained  the  powers  of  the 
admiralty  courts  to  their  ancient  limits,  and  with- 
out repealing,  fufpended  for  a  limited  time,  thofe 
acts,  which  had  been  complained  of  by  congrefs. 
It  propofed  to  place  the  judges  in  America  on  the 
fame  footing,  as  to  holding  their  falaries  and  of- 
fices, with  thofe  in  England,  and  fecuring  to  the 
colonies  all  the  privileges,'  franchifes  and  immuni- 

*   G-)rdon%  Vol.  /,  p    451.      Lendrum,  Vol.  1.  p.  329. 
f  Scf  Lift  of  the  Earl  of  Cbalham,  p    228  —  230. 


286  HISTORY    OF 

1775.  ties,  granted  by  their  feveral  charters  and  confti- 
tutions.  His  lordihip  introduced  this  plan  with 
a  fpeech,  in  which  he  explained  and  fupported 
every  part  of  it,  in  energetic  language.  The 
plan  propofed  by  Lord  Chatham  was  rejected  by 
a  majority  of  64  to  32,  and  without  being  admit- 
ted to  lie  on  the  table,* 

AFTER  long  and  warm  debates,  and  one  or 
two  protefls,  the  minifterial  plans  were  carried 
by  great  majorities.  In  confequence  thereof,  on 
the  9th  of  February,  a  joint  addrefs  from  both 
lords  and  commons  was  prefented  to  the  king,  in 
which  "  they  returned  thanks  for  the  communica- 
tion of  the  papers  relative  to  the  (late  of  the  Brit- 
}(h  colonies  in  America,  and  gave  it  as  their  opin- 
ion, that  a  rebellion  actually  exifted  in  the  prov- 
ince of  Maffachufects,  and  befeeched  his  majefty 
that  he  would  take  the  mod  effectual  meafures  to 
enforce  clue  obedience  to  the  laws  and  authority 

j 

of  the  iupreme  legiflature,  and  begged  in  the  mod 
foleran  manner  to  allure  him,  that  it  was  their 
fixed  refolution,  at  the  hazard  of  their  lives  and 
properties,  to  fupport  his  majefty  in  the  mainten- 
ance of  the  jufl  rights  of  the  crown,  and  the  two 
houies  of  parliament."! 

SOON  after  this  addrefs,  the  New-England  cole- 
nies  were  prohibited,  by  an  act  of  parliament, 
from  carrying  on  any  fifhery  on  the  banks  of 
Newfoundland  ;  and  they  were  reft  rained  from 
any  trade  to  Great-Britain,  Ireland,  and  the  Brit- 
iiri  iilands  in  the  Weil-Indies.  The  reafons  afiign- 

*  Ramjay,  Vol.    I.  p.    151,  152,  153.     i  Ibid,  p.   157. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  287 

ed  by  Lord  North  for  extending  this  bill  to  New-  1775 
Hampfhire,  Connedkut  and  Rhode-Ifland,  were, 
that  they  had  aided  and  abettld  their  offending 
neighbors,  and  were  fo  near  to  them,  that  the  iu- 
tentions  of  parliament  would  be  fruftrated,  unlefs 
they  were  comprehended  in  the  propofed  reftraints.* 
THE  fifhery  bill  was  fpeedily  followed  by  an- 
other, for  retraining  the  trade  and  commerce  of 
the  colonies  and  provinces  of  New-Jerfey,  Penn- 
fylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  South-Carolina* 
The  reafons  affigned  for  this  were  fimilar  to  thole, 
which  were  offered  for  retraining  the  trade  of  the 
New-England  colonies. 

A  RE  SEE  c  TABLE  minority  in  parliament  con- 
tinued to  oppofe  thefe  oppreilive  acts  ;  and  in  the 
courfe  of  the  debates,  Lord  North  introduced  a 
conciliatory  proportion,  permitting  each  colony 
feparately  to  offer  a  certain  income  to  government, 
which  mould  be  raifed  by  the  authority  of  the 
general  afiemblies  of  the  colonies ;  and  which,  if 
approved,  might  be  accepted  in  lieu  of  a  parlia- 
mentary revenue.  When  this  plan  was  tranfmit- 
ted  to  America,  it  was  univerfally  rejected. 

As  matters  had  proceeded  fo  far,  as  to  preclude 
all  hopes  of  accommodation  with  Great-Britain, 
the  New-England  colonies  were  affiduous  in  pre- 
paring for  war.  The  diftrud  and  animofity  be- 
tween the  people  and  the  army  Rationed  in  Bcf- 
ton  increafed.  From  every  appearance  it  became 
daily  more  evident,  that  arms  mud  ultimately  de- 
cide the  conteft.f 

*  Ram/ay,  Vd  1.  p-  159.     f   lbidt  p. 


288  H  i  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

177^.  DR.  Rarnfay  remarks,  that  cs  it  was  a  fortu- 
nate  circumftance  for  tht  colonies,  that  the  royal 
army  was  ported  in  New-England.  The  people  ot 
that  northern  country  have  their  paffions  more  un- 
der the  command  of  reafon  and  intereft,  than  in 
the  fouthern  latitudes,  where  a  warmer  fun  ex- 
cites a  greater  degree  of  irafcibility.  One  ram  of- 
fenfive  action  againfl  the  royal  forces,  at  this  ear- 
ly period,  though  fucccfsful,  might  have  done 
great  mifchief  to  the  caufe  of  America.  It  would 
have  lofl  them  European  friends,  and  weakened 
the  difpofition  of  the  other  colonies  to  affift  them. 
The  patient  and  the  politic  New-England-rnen, 
fully  fenfible  of  their  fituation,  fubmitted  to  many 
infults,  and  bridled  their  refentment.  In  civil 
wars  or  revolutions,  it  is  a  matter  of  much  confe- 
quence  who  ftrikes  the  firil  blow.  The  compaf- 
fion  of  the  world  is  in  favor  of  the  attacked,  and 
the  difpleafure  of  good  men  on  thofe,  who  are  the 
firfl  to  embrue  their  hands  in  human  blood.  For 
the  fpace  of  nine  months  after  the  arrival  of  Gen, 
Gage,  the  behavior  of  the  people  of  Bollon  is  par- 
ticularly worthy  of  imitation,  by  thofe,  who  wiih 
to  overturn  eilabliihed  government.  They  con- 
dueled  their  oppofuion  with  exquifite  addrefs. 
They  avoided  every  kind  of  outrage  and  violence, 
preferving  peace  and  good  order  among  them- 
felves,-  fuccefsfully  engaged  the  other  colonies  to 
make  a  common  caufe  with  them,  and  counter*- 
aded  General  Gage  fo  eiTeclually,  as  to  prevent 
his  doing  any  thing  for  his  royal  mailer,  while  by 


NE  W-E  N  GL  AND.  383 

patience  and  moderation  they  fereened  themfelves  17 75 
from  cenfure.  Though  refolved  to  bear  as  long  as 
prudence  and  policy  dictated,  they  were  all  the 
time  preparing  for  the  lad  extremity.  They 
were  furnifhing  themfelves  with  arms  and  ammu- 
nition, and  training  their  militia."* 

ON  the  26th  of  February,  General  Gage,  hav- 
ing received  intelligence  that  fome  military  (lores 
were  depofited  in  Salem,  difpatched  a  party  to 
feize  them.  Their  road  was  obftru&ed  by  a  river, 
over  which  was  a  draw-bridge.  This  the  people 
had  pulled  up,  and  refufed  to  let  down  ;  upon 
which  the  foldiers  feized  a  boat  to  ferry  them  over ; 
but  the  people  cut  out  her  bottom.  Hoflilities 
would  immediately  have  commenced,  had  it  not 
been  for  the  interpofition  of  a  clergyman,!  who 
reprefe.nted  to  the  military,  on  the  one  hand,  the 
folly  of  oppofmg  fuch  numbers  ;  and  to  the  people, 
on  the  other,  that,  as  the  day  was  far  fpent,  the 
military  could  not  execute  their  defign,  fo  that 
they  might  without  any  fear  leave  them  the  pof- 
fefiioa  of  the  draw-bridge.  This  was  complied 
with  ;  and  the  foidiers,  after  having  remained  for 
fome  time  at  the  bridge,  returned  without  executing 
their  orders.]; 

IN  this  alarming  fituation  of  affairs,  the  colonies 
in  general  were  making  preparations  for  hoftilities  \ 
and  the  inhabitants  of  the  MaiTachufetts  province 
ufed  every  device  for  conveying  fafely  from  Bofton 
into  the  country,  ail  kinds  of  military  articles, 
which  might  be  wanted  in  the  expected  war. 

*   flaw/ay,   Vol.    I  p.   187.      f    Rev.  Tbomat 
J  GarJo.1,  y^  /.  p,  407. 

N  n 


IIISTQRY    OF 

IN  reviewing  the  difpute  between  Great-Britain 
and  America,  which  for  fourteen  years  was  con- 
dueled  by  the  pen,  or  at  mofl  by  affociations,  and 
legi'flative  acts,  we  are  led  to  admire  the  determined 
refplution,  with  which  the  colonies  refilled  every  en- 
croachment on  their  privileges.  Many  of  the  pro- 
ductions of  that  period  difcover  great  energy  of 
mind,  and  political  information  ;  and  it  ought  to 
be  remembered,  to  the  honor  of  the  Americans, 
that,  whilil  they  made  a  fpirited  oppofition  to  the 
arbitrary  views  of  Britain,  their  finnnefs  was  blend. 
ed  with  prudence  and  moderation.  Their  fagaci- 
ty  alfo  in  difcovering  defigns  againft  their  liberties, 
before  they  were  fully  developed,  is  greatly  to  be 
admired.  It  has  been  juftly  obferved,  that  "  the 
a-nnnls  of  other  nations  have  produced  inftances 
of  fuccefsful  druggies  againft  a  yoke  previouily  im- 
pofed  ;  but  the  records  of  hiftory  do  not  furnifh  an 
example  of  a  people,  whofe  penetration  had  an- 
ticipated the  operations  of  tyranny  ;  and  whofe 
fpirit  had  difdained  to  fufFer  an  infringement  upon 
their  liberties."* 

*  Set- John  ^  Adam?  Oration,  July  4,  1793,  p.  JO,  - 


WE  W-ENGL  AJtJD.  49* 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

The  commencement  of  hoftilitles  at  Lexington.  Cen- 
tral Gage  receives  the  arms  of  the  inhabitants  of 
B  oft  on — -falls  in  bis  engagement.  B  oft  on  hive/led 
by  a  provincial  army.  Public  faft.  Ticonderogz 
and  Crown-Point  taken.  Reinforcements  arrive 
from  Great-Britain.  Bunkers-hill  battle.  Burn- 
ing of  Charleftown,  and  death  of  General  Warren* 


HE  important  sera,  at  length,    ar- 1775* 
rived,  in  which  the  Americans  had  no  alternative, 
but  to  fubmit  to  the  impofitions  of  arbitrary  pow- 
er, or  refer  their  caufe  to  the  decifion  of  arms. 

STORES  had  been  depofited  at  Worcefter  andApr.iS. 
Concord,  for  the  fupport  of  the  provincial  army* 
To  the  latter  of  thofe  places,  which  was  about 
twenty  miles  from  Bofton,  General  Gage  fent  a 
detachment  of  Britim  troops,  in  order  to  deftroy 
the  (tores,  and,  as  was  reported,  to  feize  Mr. 
Hancock  and  Mr.  .Samuel  Adams,  leading  charac- 
ters in  the  oppofition.* 

THE  general  wifhed  to  accomplifh  his  defign 
without  blood(hed,  and  planned  the  expedition 
with  the  greateft  fecrecy,  to  prevent  the  country 
from  being  alarmed.  At  eleven  o'clock  at  night, 
eight  hundred  grenadiers  and  light  infantry,  the 
flower  of  the  royal  army,  embarked  at  the  com- 
nion,  landed  at  Phipps'  farm,  and  marched  for 

*   Rax/ay,   Vd.  1.  p>  187. 


292  HIS  TO  R  Y    OF 

17715.  Concord,  under  the  command  of  lieut.  col.  Smith, 
The  utmoft  precaution  could  not  prevent  intelli- 
gence of  thefe  movements  from  being  uanfmhted 
to  the  country  militia. 

ABOUT  two  in  the  morning,  130  of  the  Lex. 
ington  militia  had  affembled  to  oppofe  them ;  but 
the  air  being  chilly,  and  intelligence  refpecling  the 
regulars  uncertain,  they  were  difmifled,  with  or- 
ders to  appear  again  at  beat  of  drum.  About  70 
collected  a  fecond  time,  between  four  and  five  o* 
clock  in  the  morning,  and  the  Britifh  troops  foon 
after  made  their  appearance.  Major  Pitcairn,  who 
led  the  advanced  corps,  rode  up  to  them,  and 
called  out,  <c  difperfe,  you  rebels  ;  throw  down 
your  arms  and  difperfe/'  They  dill  continued  in 
a  body,  on  which  he  advanced  nearer,  difcharged 
his  piftol,  and  ordered  his  foldiers  to  fire.  This 
was  ddhe  with  a  huzza.  A  difperfion  of  the  mi- 
litia  was  the  confequence  ;  but  the  firing  of  the 
regulars  was,  neverthelefs,  continued.  Individu- 
als, finding  they  were  fired  upon,  though  difpeif- 
ing,  returned  the  fire.  Three  or  four  of  the  mi- 
litia were  killed  on  the  green.  A  few  more  were 
killed,  after  they  had  begun  to  difperfe.  The 
royal  detachment  proceeded  to  Concord.,  and  ex- 
ecuted their  commiflion.  They  difabled  two  twen- 
ty-four pounders,  threw  five  hundred  pounds  of 
ball  into  rivers  and  wells,  and  broke  in  pieces 
about  fixty  barrels  of  flour. 

MR.  John  Butterickj  major  of  a  minute  regi- 
ment, not  knowing  what  had  pafled  at  Lexington, 
ordered  his  men  not  ro  enve,  the  firft  iire3  that 


NEW-ENGLAND,  293 

they  might  not  be  the  aggrefibrs.  Upon  his  ar>  1775. 
preaching  near  the  regulars,  they  fired  and  kil- 
led  capt.  Ifaac  Pavis,  and  one  private  of  the  pro- 
vincial minute-men.  The  fire  was  returned,  and 
a  {kirmifh  enfued.  The  king's  troops  having  done 
their  bufinefs,  began  their  retreat  towards  Bofton. 
This  was  conduced  with  expedition,  for  the  in- 
habitants  of  the  adjacent  towns  had  aifembled  in 
arms,  and  began  to  attack  them  in  every  direc- 
tion. In  their  return  to  Lexington,  they  were 
exceedingly  annoyed,  both  by  thofe,  who  prefifed 
on  the  rear,  and  others  who  poured  in  from  all 
fides,  and  fired  from  behind  ftone-walls,  and  fuch 
like  coveits,  which  fupplied  the  place  of  lines 
and  redoubts.* 

AT  Lexington  the  Britifh  were  joined  by  a  de-r 
tachment  of  900  men,  under  Lord  Percy,  who  had 
been  fent  out  by  General  Gage  to  fupport  lieut.  coU 
Smith.  This  reinforcement,  having  two  pieces  of 
cannon,  awed  the  provincials,  and  kept  them  at  a 
greater  diftance ;  but  they  continued  a  conftant, 
though  irregular  and  fcattering  fire,  which  did  great 
execution.  The  clofe  firing  from  behind  the  walls, 
by  good  markfmen,  put  the  royal  troops  in  no 
finall  confufion  ;  but  they  neverthelefs  kept  up  a 
briik  retreating  file  on  the  militia  and  minute-men. 

A  JLITTLE  after  funfet  the  regulars  reached 
Bunker's-hill,  worn  down  with  exceflive  fatigue, 
having  marched  that  day  between  thirty  and  for- 
ty miles.  On  the  next  day  they  returned  to  Bof- 
ton, acrois  Charlcftcwn  ferry. 

*  Ramjty,  Vol.  L  f.  1 89. 


?94  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1775.  THERE  never  were  more  than  400  provincials 
engaged  at  qne  time,  and  often  not  fo  many.  As 
feme  tired  and  gave  out,  others  came  up  and  took 
their  places.  There  was  fcarcely  any  difcipline 
obferved  among  them.  Officers  and  privates  fired 
when  they  were  ready,  and  law  a  royal  uniform, 
without  waiting  for  the  word  of  command.  Their 
knowledge  of  the  country  enabled  them  to  gain 
opportunities,  by  eroding  fields  and  fences,  and 
to  act  as  Hanking  parties  againfi  the  king's  troops, 
who  kept  to  the  main  road. 

THE  Britifh  had  65  killed,  180  wounded,  anc} 
28  made  prifoners.  Of  the  provincials  50  were 
killed,  and  38  wounded  and  miffing.  Dr.  Ram- 
iay  remarks,  cc  as  arms  were  to  decide  the  con- 
troverfy,  it  was  fortunate  for  the  Americans  that, 
the  firft  blood  was  drawn  in  New-England.  The 
inhabitants  of  that  country  are  fo  connected  with 
each  other  by  defcent,  manners,  religion,  politics, 
and  a  general  equality,  that  the  killing  of  an  in- 
dividual  interefted  the  whole,  and  made  them 
confuier  it  as  a .  common  caufe.  The  blood  of 
thofe,  who  were  killed  at  Lexington  and  Concord, 
proved  the  firm  cement  of  an  extenfive  union."* 

To  prevent  the  people  in  Bofton  from  joining 
their  countrymen  in  the  vicinity,  in  an  attack 
which  was  threatened,  General  Gage  agreed  with 
a  committee  of  the  town,  that  upon  the  inhabit- 
ants lodging  their  arms  in  Faneuil-hall,  or  any- 
other  convenient  place,  under  the  care  of  the  fe- 
lect-men,  all,  who  were  inclined,  .'might  remove 

*  Ramfy>  fr'ol.  1.  p.  189.     See  alfo  Gordon. 


NEW -ENGLAND.  295 

\viththeirfamiliesand  effects.  A  large  number  2775. 
complied  with  the  condition  ;  and  the  agreement 
was  punctually  obferved  at  firft,  but,  in  a  fhort 
time,  the  general  detained  many  ;  and  when'  he 
admitted  the  departure  of  others,  he  would  not  al- 
low them  to  remove  their  families  and  efFecb. 
The  feparation  of  near  and  dear  connexions  occa- 
fioned  many  dillrefling  fcenes.  The  provincial 
congrefs  in  vain  remonftrated  on  the  infraction  of 
the  agreement.  He  was  in  fame  meafure  com- 
pelled  to  adopt  this  difhonorable  expedient,,  from 
the  clamor  of  the  tories,  who  alledged,  that  whea 
the  enemies  to  the  Britifh  government  were  re- 
moved, and  were  all  fafe  with  their  families  and 
effects,  the  town  would  be  fet  on  fire. 

THE  provincial  congrefs  of  MafTachufetts,  which 
\vas  in  feflion  at  the  time  of  Lexington  battle,  dif- 
patched  an  account  of  it  to  Greaf -Britain,  accom- 
panied with  many  depositions  to  prove,  that  the 
Britifh  troops  were  the  aggreffors.  They  alfo  made 
an  addrefs  to  the  inhabitants  of  Great-Britain,  in 
•which,  after  complaining  of  their  fufferings,  they 
declare  the  attachment  they  dill  feel  for  their  fove- 
reign  ;  they  appeal  to  heaven  for  the  juftke  of  their 
caufe,  and  aflert  their  determined  refolution  to,  die  or 
be  free.* 

THE  congrefs  alfo  voted,  that  an  army  of  30,000 
men  be  immediately  raifed  ;  that  13,600  be  of 
their  own  province,  and  that  a  letter  and  dele- 
gates be  fent  to  the  feveral  colonies  of  Nevv-IIamp- 
fliire,  Connecticut  and  Rhode-lfland.  In  coufe* 

*   Rumjajt  Voi  L  p.  191. 


296  H I  S  T  O  ft  Y    O  F 

1775.  qaer*ce  of  this  vote,  the  bufmefs  of  recruiting  was 
began,  and  an  army  raifed  fuperior  in  number  to 
that  of  the  Britifh.  The  command  of  this  force 
,\vas  given  to  General  Ward, 

THE  battle  at  Lexington  fpread  the  flame  of 
civil  difcord  through  the  colonies.  The  martial 
fpirit  mown  by  the  American  militia  on  this  occa- 
iion,  afforded  matter  of  exultation.  Dr.  Ramfay 
remarks,  "  that  perhaps  in  no  fubfequent  engage- 
ment did  the  Americans  appear  to  greater  advan- 
tage than  in  their  firft  eflay  at  Lexington,  It  is 
almofl  without  parallel  in  military  hiftory,  for  the 
yeomanry  of  the  country  to  come  forward  in  a  {in- 
gle disjointed  manner,  without  order,  and  for  the 
mod  part  without  officers,  and  by  an  irregular  fire 
to  put  to  flight  troops  equal  in  difcipline  to  any  in 
the  world."* 

THE  fpirits  of  the  people  were  raifed  to  that  de- 
gree, that  they  meditated  a  total  expulfion  of  the 
Britifh  troops  from  Boflon.  An  army  of  20,000 
men  was  aifembled,  who  formed  a  line  of  encamp- 
ment from  Roxbury  to  My  flic ;  and  here  they 
were  foon  after  joined  by  a  large  body  of  Connec- 
ticut troops,  under  General  Putnam,  an  old  officer 
of  great  bravery  and  experience.  By  this  formida- 
ble force,  was  the  town  of  Bofton  blocked  up. 
General  Gage,  however,  had  fo  ftrongly  fortified  it, 
that  the  provincials,  powerful  as  they  were,  duril 
not  make  an  attack  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand, 
his  force  was  by  far  too  infignificant  to  meet  fuch 
an  army  in  the  field.! 

t  -fol.  I    ;     igc       f  4v- -V^w.   fa/.  V .  f.    2X, 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  297 

THE  forces,  which  had  been  collected  in  Maffa- 177$* 
chufetts,  were  (lationed  in  convenient  places  for 
guarding  the  country  from  further  excursions  of 
the  regulars  from  Bofton.  Breaft-works  were  al- 
fo  erected,  in  different  places,  for  the  fame  purpofe* 
Some  fkirmifhes,  in  the  mean  time,  took  place  on 
the  iflands  lying  off  Bofton  harbor,  which,  by 
habituating  the  Americans  to  danger,  were  of  real 
fervice  to  their  caufe.* 

.AT  the  fame  time  that  the  organization  of  an 
army  was  refolved  on  by  the  continental  congrefs, 
a  public  fafl  was  recommended  to  be  obferved  on 
the  2oth  of  July,  throughout  the  united  colonies, 
"  a  day  of  humiliation,  fading  and  prayer  to  Al* 
mighty  God,  to  implore  a  bleffing  on  their  rightful 
fovereign,  King  George  ;  and  that  the  Britiih  na- 
tion, before  it  was  too  late,  might  form  juft  ideas 
of  their  real  intereft.  That,  by  the  gracious  in- 
terpofition  of  Heaven,  America  might  obtain  a  re- 
drefs  of  her  various  grievances,  a  reftoration  of 
her  invaded  rights,  and  a  reconciliation  with  the 
parent  (late,  on  terms  conftitutional  and  honorable 
to  both  countries."! 

THE  clergy  of  New-England,  who  were  a  nu- 
merous, learned  and  refpectable  body,  in  their 
prayers  and  fermons,  reprefented  the  caufe  of  Ame- 
rica as  the  caufe  of  heaven ;  and  their  exertions 
in  the  public  caufe  were  important  and  effectual. 

THE  neceflity  of  fecuring  Ticonderoga,  was  ear- 
ly attended  to,  by  many  in  New-England ;  but 
fome  Connecticut  gentlemen  were  ftrft  in  attempt-* 

*  Ram/ay,  Pol.  L  p.  200.     f  IbiL 
O  o 


MISTO  R  Y    OF  ' 

Ing  the  meafure.  Col.  Arnold  was  fent  from  Con- 
necticut,  to  engage  the  people  on  the  New-Hamp- 
(hire  grants  upon  this  expedition.  Col.  Ethan 
Allen,  of  Bennington,  undertook  to  raife  a  body  of 
troops  for  that  purpofe.  General  Gage  had  fet 
the  example  of  attempting  to  feize  upon  military 
{tores,  and  by  fo  doing  had  commenced  hoftiliries  j 
retaliation,  therefore,  feemed  warrantable. 

COL.  Allen  was  at  CaftlefQ%  with  about  270 
men,  230  of  whom  belonged  to  the  New-I  lamp  (hire 
grants.  Centinels  were  immediately  placed  on  nil 
she  roadSj  to  prevent  intelligence  being  carried  to 
Ticonderoga.  Col.  Arnold,  who  arrived  at  this 
time,  had  heard  fach  an  account  of  the  ftate  of  the 
garrifon  in  that  place  as  encouraged  the  expedition. 
It  was  then  fettled  that  Allen  fhould  have  the  fu- 
preme  command,  and  Arnold  was  to  be  his  aiTifl- 
ant.* 

THEY  arrived  at  Lake  Champlain,  oppofite 
Ticonderoga,  on  the  9th  of  May,  at  night.  Boats 
were  with  difficulty  procured,  when  he  and  CoL 
Arnold  croffed  over  with  83  men,  and  landed  near 
the  garrifon.  The  two  colonels  advanced  fide  by 
fide,  and  entered  the  fort  at  the  dawning  of  day. 
May  10  A  centinel  fnapped  his  piece  at  Col.  Allen,  and 
then  retreated  through  the  covered  way  to  the  pa- 
rade. The  main  body  of  the  Americans  then  fol- 
lowed, and  drew  up.  Captain  de  la  Place,  the 
commander,  was  furprized  in  his  bed,  and  called 
upon  to  fui  render  the  fort.  He  aiked,  by  what 
authority  ?  CoL  Allen  replied,  "  I  demand  it  in 

*  Gordon,  iroL  II.  f.io. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  I).  399 

the  name  of  the  great  Jehovah,  and  of  the  conti-  1775. 
nental  congrefs."     No  refiftance   was  made,   and 
the  fort,  with  its  valuable  (lores,   and  forty-eight 
prifoners,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans.* 

COL,  Seth  Warner  was  lent  oft"  with  a  party  to 
take  poffeffion  of  Crown-Point,  in  which  there 
was  a  garrifca  of  12  men.  This  was  fpeedily  ef- 
fe&ed.  They  took,  affo,  two  fmall  veffels,  and 
found  materials  at  Ticouderoga  for  building  oth- 
ers. By  this  expedition  the  provincials  acquired 
great  quantities  of  ammunition  and  military  (tores ; 
and  obtained  the  command  of  Lake  Champlain, 
which  fecured  them  a  paffage  into  Canada. 

ABOUT  the  latter  end  of  May,  a  great  part  of 
the  reinforcements  ordered  from  Great-Britain  ar- 
rived at  Boflon.  Three  Britim  generals,  Howe, 
Burgoyne  and  Clinton,  whofe  behavior  in  the  pre- 
ceding war,  had  gained  them  great  reputation,  al- 
fo  arrived  about  the  fame  time.  General  Gage, 
thus  reinforced,  prepared  for  a&ing  with  more  de- 
cifion.  Before  he  proceeded  to  extremities,  he  if- 
fued  a  proclamation,  wherein  he  offered  pardon, 
in  the  king's  name,  to  all,  who  (hould  immediately 
jay  down  their  arms,  and  return  to  their  refpeclive 
occupations ;  excepting  only  from  the  benefit  of 
that  pardon,  "  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Hancock, 
whofe  offences  were  faid  to  be  of  too  flagitious  a 
nature  to  admit  of  any  other  confideration  than 
that  of  condign  puniihment."  Hq  alfo  proclaimed, 
that  not  only  the  perfons  above  named  and  except- 
ed,  but  alfo  all  their  adherents,  aflbciates  and  cor- 

*  Gsr<ton>  VtL  U.  /,  11  —  14.     Ra^ay,   VoLl.  />.  226, 


I 


HISTORY    OF 

1775.  respondents,  fhould  be  deemed  guilty  of  treafon 
v^vv^  and  rebellion,  and  treated  accordingly.  By  this 
proclamation,  it  was  alfo  declared,  c;  that  as  the 
courts  of  judicature  were  fhut,  mania!  law  fhould 
take  place,  till  a  due  courfe  of  juftice  fhould  be 
re-eftablifhed."* 

THE  Americans,  fuppofing  this  proclamation  to 
be  a  prelude  to  hofliiities,  prepared  for  action. 
Orders  were,  therefore,  iffued,  by  the  provincial 
commanders,  that  a  detachment  of  one  thoufand 
men  fhould  entrench  upon  Bunker's-hill,  a  con- 
fiderable  height,  juft  at  the  entrance  of  the  penin- 
fula  at  Charleftown,  the  fituation  of  which  render- 
ed the  poffeffion  of  it  of  great  importance  to  either 
party.  By  feme  miftake  Breeds-hill,  high  and 
large  as  the  other,  but  fituated  nearer  Boflon,  was 
marked  out  for  the  entrenchments. 

IN  the  night  of  the  i6th  of  June,  the  provincials 
took  pofTeffion  of  Breed's-hill,  and  labored  with 
fuch  diligence  and  alacrity,  that  by  the  dawn  of 
day  they  had  thrown  up  a  fmall  redoubt,  about 
eight  rods  fquare.  Such  was  the  extraordinary 
filence  that  reigned  among  them,  that  they  were; 
not  heard  by  the  Britifh  on  board  their  veffels  in. 
the  neighboring  waters.  The  dawn  of  day  only 
difcovered  the  work  when  near  completion.  Upon 
Jan.  17  which  the  Britim  began  an  heavy  firing  from  their 
fl'iips,  and  from  a  fortification  on  Cop^hill,  in 
Bofton.  An  inceffant  mower  of  mot  and  bombs 
was  poured  upon  the  American  works,  and  yet  but 
one  man  was  killed.f 

*   P.atr.fayt  Vs!,   1.  p.  210.      -f  Gordon.  Vol.  77.  p.  39,  40. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  301 

THE  Americans  fuflained  this  fire  with  the  in-  1775. 
trepidhy  of  veteran  foldiers  ;  and  continued  labor-  ^^ 
ing  indefatigably  till  they  had  thrown  up  a  fmall 
bread-work,  extending  from  the  eaft  fide  of  the  re- 
doubt to  the  bottom  of  the  hill ;  but  they  were 
prevented  completing  it,  from  the  intolerable  fire 
of  the  enemy.  By  forne  unaccountable  error,  the 
detachment,  which  had  been  .  working  for  hours, 
was  neither  relieved,  nor  fupplied  with  refreih- 
ments,  but  was  left  to  engage,  under  thefe  difad- 
vantages.* 

BETWEEN  twelve  and  one  o'clock  (the  day  be-Jun.iy. 
ing  exceedingly  hot)  a  number  of  boats  and  barges, 
filled  with  regular  troops,  from  Bofton,  approach- 
ed Charleftown,  when  the  men  were  landed  at 
Moreton's  point.  They  confifted  of  four  battal- 
ions, two  companies  of  grenadiers,  and  ten  of  light 
infantry,  with  a  proportion  of  field  artillery,! 

MAJOR  Gen.  Howe,  and  brigadier  Gen.  Pigot, 
had  the  command  of  thofe  troops,  which  were  the 
flower  of  the  royal  army.  They  formed  and  re- 
mained in  that  pofition,  till  joined  by  a  fecond  de- 
tachment of  light  infantry  and  grenadier  companies, 
a  battalion  of  land  forces,  and  a  battalion  of  ma- 
rines, amounting  in  the  whole  to  about  3000  men. 
The  Generals  Clinton  and  Burgoyne  took  their 
ftand  upon  Cop V hill,  to  contemplate  the  bloody 
and  dqllruclive  operations  that  were  now  com- 
mencing. The  king's  troops  formed  in  two  lines, 
:and  advanced  deliberately  in  order  to  give  their  ar- 
tillery time  to  demoliih  the  American  works. 

*  Gordon,  Vcl.  II.  />.  41,     f  Ibid. 


H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

177  v  WHILST  the-  Britifli  were  advancing  nearer  to 
the  attack,  they  received  orders  from  Gen.  Gage 
to  burn  Charleftown.  This  was  done  from  the 
military  policy  of  depriving  enemies  of  a  cover  in 
their  approaches.  The  town  was  fet  on  fire  by  a 
battery  on  Gop's-hill,  inBofton,  and  a  party  from 
the  Somerfet  man  of  war,  lying  in  Charles  river, 
and  nearly  four  hundred  houfes,  including  fix  pub- 
lic buildings,  were  confumed.  The  lofty  fteeple 
of  the  roeeting-houfe,  formed  a  pyramid  of  fire 
above  the  reft,  and  flruck  the  aftoniihed  eyes  of 
numerous  beholders  with  a  magnificent  but  awful 
fpe&acle. 

IN  Boflon,  the  heights  of  every  kind  were  cover* 
ed  with  citizens,  and  fuch  of  the  king's  troops  as 
were  not  on  duty.  The  hills  around  the  adjacent 
country,  'which  afforded  a  fafe  and  diftin6t  view  of 
the  momentous  contefl,  were  occupied  by  Ameri- 
cans of  all  ages  and  orders.  The  honor  of  the 
Britim  troops  beat  high  in  the  breads  of  many, 
while  others,  with  a  keener  fenfibility,  felt  for  the 
liberties  of  a  great  and  growing  country. 

THE  Britifli  derived  no  advantage  from  the 
fmoke  of  the  conflagration  at  Charleflown ;  for 
the  wind  fuddenly  drifting,  carried  it  in  another 
direction,  fo  that  it  could  not  cover  them  in  their 
approach. 

THE  Americans  were  mlferably  armed,  with 
fcarce  a  bayonet  to  their  mufkets.  They  were, 
however,  moftly  markfmen,  having  been  accuf- 
toinsd  to  gunning  from  their  youth.  The  redoubt 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  303 

and  the  bread- work  neareft  it  were  chiefly  cccu-  1775- 
pied  with  Mailachufetts  men.  Col.  Stark,  with 
the  New-Hampfhire  foldiers  under  his  command  ; 
capt.  Knowlton,  of  Ad) ford,  with  a  party  from 
Connecticut ;  and  a  few  Maffachufetts  men*  were 
dationed  on  the  left  of  the  bread-work,  and  open 
ground  dretching  beyond  its  point  to  the  water 
fide,  through  which  there  was  no  chance  of  carry- 
ing the  works..* 

THE  Britifh  moved  on  flowly  to  the  attack., 
which  gave  the  provincials  the  advantage  of  taking 
furer  and  cooler  aim.  Thefe  refer ved  their  fire 
till  the  regulars  came  within  ten  or  twelve  rods, 
when  they  began  a  furious  difcharge  of  fmall  arms, 
by  which  the  Britifh-  were  checked  in  their  ad- 
vance. The  difcharge  from  the  Americans  was 
inceflant,  and  did  fuch  execution,  that  the  king's 
troops  retreated  in  diforder,  and  with  great  pre- 
cipitation. The  officers  rallied  them,  and  pu fried 
them  forward  with  their  fwords  ;  but  they  ret  in  fl- 
ed to  the  attack  with  extreme  reluclance.  The 
Americans  again  referved  their  fire,  till  the  Brit- 
ifh were  near,  and  then  put  them  a  fecond  time 
to  flight.  Such  was  the  lofs  already  fudained, 
that  feveral  of  the  officers  exclaim,  "It  is  down- 
'right  butchery  to  lead  the  men  on  afrefh  againfl 
the  lines."  Bat,  animated  with  a  high  fenfe  of 
Britifh  honor,  the  royal  army  determined  to  car- 
ry their  point  in  fpite  of  all  oppofition.f 

GENERAL   Howe   and    the    officers    redoubled 
their  exertions,  and  General    Clinton  arrived    at 

*  GW<7>/,  Vol.  11.  />.  42.     Ramfay,  VoL  J.  p.  202, 
$   ibid,  p.  44, 


304  HIS  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1775.  this  critical  moment,  and  joined   them  in  time  to 
be  of  fervice.     The  united  and  ftrenuous  efforts  of 
the  different  officers   were  again   fuccefsful,  not- 
withftajiding  the  nun  difcoyered  an   almofl  infu- 
perable  averfion  to  renewing  the  attack.     By  this 
time  the  powder  of  the  Americans  began  to  fail. 
This  deficiency  difabled   them   from  making  the 
fame  defence  as  before  ;  while  the   Britifh  reaped 
a  farther  advantage  by    bringing  fome  cannon  to 
bear  fo  as  to  rake  the   infide  of  the  bread-work 
from  end  to  end.     The  fire  from   the   fhips,  bat- 
teries, and  field  artillery  was  redoubled.     The  of- 
ficers in  the  rear  goaded  on  the  foldiers,  and  the 
redoubt  was  attacked  on  three  fides  at  once.     Un- 
der thefe  circumftances  a  retreat  from  it  mwas  or- 
dered ;  but  the  provincials  delayed,  and  made  re- 
fiftance  with  their  difcharged  mulkets,  as  if  they 
had  been  clubs,  fo  long  that  the  king's  troops, 
who  eaiily  mounted  the  works,  had  half  filled  the 
redoubt,  before  it  was  given  up  to  them.* 

WHILST  thefe  operations  were  going  on  at  the 
breaft-work  and  redoubt,  the  Britifh  light  infant- 
ry were  attempting  to  force  the  left  point  of  the 
former,  that  they  might  take  the  American  line 
in  flank.  Though  they  exhibited  the  mod:  un- 
daunted courage,  they  met  with  an  oppofition 
which  called  for  its  greatefl  exertions.  The  pro- 
vincials referved  their  fire  till  the  adverfaries  were 
near,  and  then  poured  it  upon  the  light  infantry 
in  fuch  an  inceffant  dream,  and  in  fo  true  a  di- 
retlion,  as  mowed  down  their  ranks.  The  en- 

*  Gordon,  f'ol.  II.  p.  44, 


NEW-EN  GLAND.  305 

gagement  was  kept  up  on  both  fides   with   great  1775. 
refolution.  The  perfcvering  exertions  of  the  king's 
troops  could  not  compel  the  Americans  to  retreat, 
till  they  obferved  that   their  main   body  had  left 
the  hill.* 

THE  retreat  of  the  Americans  could  not  be  ef- 
fecled  but  by  marching  over  Charleftown  neck, 
every  part  of  which  was  raked  by  the  (hot  of  the 
Glafgow  man  of  war,  and  of  two  floating  batter- 
ies. They  fufFered  but  little,  however,  from  this 
formidable  artillery,  though  the  fear  of  it  had 
prevented  fome  regiments,  who  were  ordered  to 
fupport  them,  from  fulfilling  their  duty.f 

THE  number  of  Americans  engaged  amounted 
only  to  1500  ;  but  the  Bofton  fpedators  were  led 
to  apprehend,  at  that  diilance,  that  they  confided 
of  fome  thoufands. 

IT  was  feared  by  the  Americans,  that  the  Brit- 
ifh  troops  would  pufh  the  advantage  they  had 
gained,  and  march  immediately  to  the  head-quar- 
ters at  Cambridge,  about  two  miles  diflant,  and 
in  no  (late  of  defence.  But  they  advanced  no  fur- 
ther than  BunkerVhill,  where  they  threw  up 
works  for  their  own  fecurity.  The  provincials  did 
the  lame  on  Profpecl  hill,  in  front  of  them,  about 
half  way  to  Cambridge.  J 

THE  iofs  of  the  peninfula  deprelfed  the  fpirits 
of  the  Americans,  and  their  great  Iofs  of  men 
produced  the  fame  efteft  on  the  Britifii.  Dr.  Gor- 
don obferves,  that  "  there  have  been  few  battles 

*  Ro*/ey>  VoL  I.  p.  203.     -f  Gordon,  Vol.  11.  p.  41.  J 


HISTORY    OP 

1775.  in  modern  wars,  in^  which,  all  circum fiances  con* 
V*"VNJ  fidered,  there  was  a  gi eater  deflru&ion  of  men 
than  in  this  fhort  engagement.  A  veteran  officer., 
.who  was  at  the  battles  of  Bettingen  and  Minden, 
and  at  feveral  others  in  Germany,  has  faid,  "  that 
for  the-  time  that  the  aclion  lafted,  and  the  num- 
ber of  men  "engaged  in  it,  he  never  knew  any 
thing  equal  to  it.3>  The  a&ion  continued  about 
an  hour  ;  during  that  fhort  period  the  lof&  of  the 
Britifh,  as  acknowledged  by  Gen.  Gage,  amount* 
ed  to  1054.  Nineteen  coramLTioned  officers  were 
killed,  and  70  more  were  wounded*  The  battl'e 
of  Quebec,  in  1759,  which  gave  Great-Britain  the 
province  of  Canada,  was  not  fo  defirudive  to 
Britifli  officers  as  this  affair  of  a  flight  entrench- 
ment, the  work  only  of  a  few  hours/5* 

THE  Britifh  officers,  by  their  fpirited  behavior 
in  this  engagemeilt,  merited  and  obtained  great 
applaufe.  But,  furely,  the  provincial  troops  were 
entitled  to  a  larger  fhare  of  admiration.  Though 
in  general  they  had  never  before  feen  an  engage- 
ment, yet  their  experienced  adverfaries,  with  their 
utmoft  exertions,  could  fcarcely  diflodge  them 
from  lines,  the  work  of  a  fingk  night. 

THE  Americans  loft  in  this  engagement  five 
pieces  of  cannon.  They  had  77  killed,  and  278 
wounded  and  miffing.  Thirty  of  the  latter  num- 
ber fell  into  the  hands  of  the  conquerors.! 

"  THE  death  of  General  Warren,  who  fought 
that  day  as  a  volunteer,  was  particularly  regret- 
ted. To  the  pureft  patriotifm  and  mod  undaunt- 

*  Gordon,  Vol.  11.  p.  47,  48.     f  Morfe,  p.  504. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  307 

cd  bravery,  he  added  the  virtues  of  domeftic  life,  1775. 
the  eloquence  of  an  accomplifhed  orator,  and  the 
wifdom  of  an  able  ftatefman."* 

DR.  Ramfay  obferves,  that,  "the  burning  of 
Charleftown,  though  a  place  of  great  trade,  did 
not  difcourage  the  provincials.  It  excited  re- 
fentment  and  execration,  but  not  any  difpofition 
to  fubmit.  Such  was  the  high  toned  ftate  of  the 
public  mind,  and  fo  great  the  indifference  for 
property,  when  put  in  competition  with  liberty, 
that  military  conflagrations,  though  they  diftrelfed 
and  impoverished,  had  no  tendency  to  fubdue  the 

colonifts."t 

THE  undaunted  courage  which  the  New-Eng- 
land militia  exhibited  at  Lexington  and  Breed's- 
hi.ll,  affords  a  convincing  proof  how  much  may 
be  done  by  men  infpired  with  an  enthufiafm  fojr 
liberty,  without  the  aid  of  military  difcipline.  The 
difpute  between  Britain  and  her  colonies  had 
long  been  a  popular  fubjech  The  prevailing 
ideas  at  that  time  were  a  deteftation  of  arbi- 
trary power,  and  a  determined  refolution  to  re* 
fift,  even  with  the  fword.  The  people,  in  gen- 
eral, were  well  informed  refpecling  the  caufes  of 
the  conteft,  and  they  had  been  highly  irritated  by 
repeated  encroachments  upon  their  privileges, 
Whild  their  minds  were  wrought  to  this  high 
pitch,  thofe,  who  previoufly  to  this  period,  had 
never  feen  a  battle,  dared  to  encounter  the  well 
difciplined  forces  of  the  Britlfh  nation, 

*  Raw/ ay  >  Vol.  I  p.  205.     \,IM. 


3oS  K  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

he  fecond  continental  congrefs  meet,  and  organize  fr 
regular  army.  Of  i heir  proceedings.  Georgia  ac- 
cedes to  the  confederacy.  General  IVaJhington  is  ap- 
pointed commander  in  chief ^  and  joins  the  continent- 
al army.  Succefsf  id  attempts  of  the  Americans  at 
fea.  Falmouth  burnt  by  the  Britifh.  Refolutions 
of  the  Rbode-IJland  a/eqibly. 


A 


SECOND  American  or  contment- 
1775.  al  congrefs  was  convened  at  Philadelphia,  on  the 
xothof  May,  as  was  recommended  at   their  dillb- 
lution.     The  primary  object  of  their  deliberations, 
was  the  general  (late  of  affairs  in  the  colonies. 

ON  their  meeting  they  chofe  Peyton  Randolph 
for  their  prefident,  and  Charles  Thompfon  for  their 
fecretary.  On  the  next  day,  Mr.  Hancock  laid 
before  them  a  variety  of  depofitions,  proving  that 
the  king's  troops  were  the  aggreffors  in  the  late 
battle  at  Lexington,  together  with  fundry  papers 
relative  to  the  great  events,  which  had  lately  taken 
place  in  Mafiachufetts.  Whereupon  congrefs  re- 
folved  itfelf  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  to 
take  into  confideration  the  Hate  of  America. 

THE  new  congrefs  had  been  convened  but  a 
:rcw  days,  when  their  venerable  prefident,  Peyton 
Randolph,  was  under  a  neceiTiry  of  returning 
home.  On  his  departure,  John  Hancock  was 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  309 

unanimously  chofen  his  fucceffbr.  The  objecls.  of  1775. 
deliberation  prefented  to  this  new  congrefs  were, 
if  poflible,  more  important  than  thofe,  which,  in  , 
the  preceding  year,  had  engaged  the  attention  of 
their  predeceflbrs.  They  found  a  new  parliament 
difpofed  to  run  all  rifks  in  enforcing  their  fub- 
miflion  ;  and  determined  to  proceed  in  that  vigor- 
ous manner  which  would  intimidate  oppofition. 
They  alfo  underflcod  that  adminiftration  was  unit- 
ed againft  them,  and  its  members  firmly  eflablifhed 
in  their  places.  Hoftilities  were  commenced,  re- 
Enforcements  had  arrived,  and  more  were  daily  ex- 
pected. Added  to  this,  they  had  information  that 
their  adverfaries  had  taken  meafures  to  fecure  the 
friend  (hip  and  co-operation  of  the  Indians  and 
Canadians. 

IN  this  awful  crifis,  congrefs  had  no  alternative, 
but  either  to  renounce  the  caufe  of  American  free- 
dom ;  or  fupport  it  by  rendering  the  war  general, 
and  involving  all  the  provinces  in  one  promifcuous  ,., 
ft  ate  of  hoftilhy. 

THE  refolution  of  the  people  in  favor  of  the  lat- 
ter, was  fixed,  and  only  wanted  a  public  fan&ion 
for  its  operation.  Congrefs,  therefore,  refolv- 
ed,  "  that  for  the  exprefs  purpofe  of  defending 
and  fecuring  the  colonies,  and  preferving  them  in 
fafety  againft  all  attempts  to  carry  the  late  acts  of 
parliament  into-execution,  by  force  of  arms,  they 
t>e  immediately  put  in  a  ftate  of  defence ;  but  as 
they  wifhed  for  a  refloration  of  the  harmony  for- 
merly fubfifting  between  the  mother  country  and 
the  colonies,  to  the  promotion  of  this  moft  deiira- 


310  H  1  ST  O  R  Y    O  F 

1775.  ble  reconciliation,  an  humble  and  dutiful  petition 
be  preferred  to  his  majefty."  To  diflfuade  the 
Canadians  from  co-operating  with  the  Britifh,  they 
again  addreffed  them,  reprefentiag  the  pernicious 
tendency  of  the  C)nebec  act,  and  apologizing  for 
their  taking  Ticonderoga  and  Crown-Point,  as  mea- 
fures,  which  were  dictated  by  the  great  law  of  felf- 
.  preiervation.  About  the  fame  time,  to  prevent 
the  Indians  from  difturbing  the  frontier  inhabit- 
ants, congrefs  difpatched  commiflioners,  who  ex- 
plained the  controverfy  with  Britain  in  an  Indian 
ityie  $  informed  them  that  they  had  no  concern  in 
the  family  quarrel,  and  urged  them,  by  the  ties  of 
ancient  friendfhip,  and  a  common  birth  place,  to 
remain  at  home,  keep  the  hatchet  buried  deep,  and 
to  join  neither  fide.* 

WHILST  congrefs  were  making  arrangements 
for  their  purpofed  continental  army,  it  was  thought 
expedient  once  more  to  addrefs  the  inhabitants  of 
Great-Britain,  and  to  publifh  to  the  world  a  declar- 
ation, exhibiting  their  reafons  for  taking  up  arms  ; 
to  addrefs  the  fpeaker  and  gentlemen  of. the  aiTeni- 
bly  of  Jamaica^  and  the  inhabitants  of  Ireland,  and 
alfo  to  prefer  a  fecond  humble  petition  to  the 
king. 

WHEN  this  laft  mentioned  petition  was  prefent- 
ed,  in  September,  1775,  by  Mr,  Penn  and  Mr.  Lee, 
Lord  Dartmouth  informed  them,  cc  that  to  it  no 
anfwer  would  be  given.'*  The  rejection  of  this 
petition  greatly  contributed  to  the  union  and  per- 
fcverance  of  the  colonies.! 

*  Ramjayt  lrol.  2,  p.  2IO.     f   Ibia,  p,  214 


NEW-ENGLAND.  31 1 

A  MILITARY  oppofition  to  the -armies  of  Great-  1775. 


Britain  being  refolved  upon,  it  became  an  object  of 
confequence  to  fix  on  a  perfon  to  conduct  that 
oppofition.  George  Wafhington,  a  native  of  Vir-Jun.ij 

.      .  .  i 

gima,  was,  by  an  unanimous  vote,  appointed  com- 
mander in  chief  of  ail  the  forces  raifed  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  colonies.  This  great  man  was  bora 
in  Weftmor eland  county,  on  the  i  ith  of  February, 
1732.  His  education  and  youthful  exercifes  tend- 
ed to  form  a  folid  mind,  and  a  vigorous  body. 
Early  in  life  his  inclination  prompted  him  to  enter 
the  military  line.  He  acquired  considerable  expe- 
rience in  the  command  of  different  parties  of  the 
provincial  troops,  during  the  late  French  war.  He 
pofleffed  genius  without  excentricity,  and  energy  of 
mind,  always  guided  by  found  judgment.  His  dif- 
tinguiflied  abilities  derived  their  greateft  luftre  from 
the  qualities  of  his  heart.  He  difplayed  a  concen- 
tration of  fublime  virtues,  exempt  from  thofe  weak- 
n cries  and  irregularities,  which  often  fully  the  mod 
illuftrious  characters.  A  difinterefted  regard  for 
the  welfare  of  his  country  appears  to  have  animat- 
ed his  exertions,  while  engaged  in  the  moft  hazard- 
ous fervices.  But  his  heroic  actions  are  his  am- 
pled  panegyric.  During  the  long  conteft  with 
Britain,  we  contemplate  him  exhibiting  unconquer- 
able perfeverance  under  the  mod  embarraifing  cir- 
cumftances ;  and  undaunted  courage  under  the 
greateft  dangers.  He  united  every  qualification 
neceflarv  to  render  him  eminent  in  his  exalted 


HISTORY    OF 

1775.  Ration;  and  appears  raifed  up  by  heaven  at  this 
critical  period,  to  be  the  favior  of  his  country.* 

AFTER  the  appointment  of  Gen.  Wafhington, 
Artemas  Ward,  Charles  Lee,  Philip  Schuyler,  and 
Ifrael  Putnam,  were  conPatuted  major-generals, 
and  Horatio  Gates  adjutant-general.  Seth  Pome- 
roy,  Richard  Montgomery,  David  Woofter,  Wil- 
liam Heath,  Jofeph  Spencer,  John  Thomas,  John 
Sullivan,  and  Nathaniel  Greene,  were  appointed 
brigadier-generals  at  the  fame  time. 

THE  1 4th  of  June,  twelve  companies  of  rifle- 
men were  ordered  to  be  raifed  in  Pennfylvania, 
Maryland  and  Virginia.  The  men,  to  the  num- 
ber of  1430,  were  procured,  and  forwarded  to 
the  American  army  at  Cambridge  with  great  expe- 
dition, 

IT  was  alfo  refolved,  cc  that  a  furn  not  exceed- 
ing two  jpnillions  of  Spanifh  milled  dollars  be  emit- 
ted by  the  congrefs,  in  bills  of  credit,  for  the 
defence  of  America ;  and  that  the  twelve  confed- 
erated colonies  be  pledged  for  the  redemption  of 
the  bills."! 

*  *I  be  following  leautiful  lines  are  feleRed  from  Mrs.  Mortons 
Jefcriplicn  of  General  W  ajhingtwt  in  her  truly  jublitne  and  ele- 
gant P  tern,  filed  Beacon  Hill. 

"   His  was  trie  firft  of  Fortune's  gifts  to  claim, 
And  his  the  triumph  c<f  unbounded  Fame  ; 
Indulgent  nature  emu'ecfly  kind, 
Gave  to  his  form  the  graces  ot  his  rrrnd  ; 
While  his  hold   ftaturc  towers  fuurerneiv  high, 
And  like  his  genius  claims  the  lifted  eje  ; 
The  kindly  features  p'-acc  *nci  truth   iir»paitt 
Calm  as  his  reaion,  open  as  hie  heart,*1 

f  Ram/ayt  Vol.  L  p.  218,  219. 


NE  W- ENGLAND.  3*5 

CONGRESS  eftablifhed  a  pod-office,  to  reach  from  *775< 
Fahnouth,    in   New-England,    to    Savannah,    in 
Georgia  ;  and  then  unanimoufly  ele&ed  Benjamin 
Franklin  poll m after-general. 

THEY  proceeded  to  the  eftablimment  of  an 
hofpital,  for  an  army  of  20,000  men  ;  and  elected 
Benjamin  Church  to  be  director  of,  and  phyfician 
in  it.* 

CONGRESS  had  alfo  the  fatisfaction  to  receive 
deputies  from  the  whole  colony  of  Georgia,  in  Ju- 
ly, expreifing  a  defire  to  join  the  confederacy. 

GEN.  Wamington,  foon  after  his  appointment 
to  the  command  of  the  American  army,  fet  out 
for  the  camp  at  Cambridge.  In  his  progrefs,  he 
xvas  treated  with  the  highefl  honors  in  every  place 
through  which  he  paifed,  both  by  public  bodies, 
and  by  individuals.  Large  detachments  of  volun- 
teers, compofed  of  private  gentlemen,  turned  out, 
to  efcort  him.  A  committee  from  the  Malfachu- 
fetts  congrefs  received  him  about  one  hundred 
miles  from  B'ofton,  and  conducted  him  to  the  ar- 
my. He  was  foon  after  addreffed  by  the  congrefs 
of  that  colony,  in  the  moft  affectionate  manner.  In 
his  anfwer,  he  feelingly  exprefied  his  gratitude  for 
their  kind  congratulations.  Herti&rted,  that  in 
leaving  the  enjoyments  of  domeftic  life,  and  ac- 
cepting the  appointment,  he  imitated  the  public 
fphit  which  the  province  of  Maffachufetts  had  ex- 
hibited ;  and  that,  "  his  higheft  ambition  was  to 
be  the  happy  inflrument  of  vindicating  their  rights, 

*  Gtrdon*  Vol.  //.  ^.  T7. 


3i4  MIS  TO  R  Y    OF 


1775*  anc^  *°  ^"ee  *ne  devoted  province  again  reftored  to 
V""V"SJ  peace,   liberty  and  fafety." 
July  3.  .     WHEN  Gen.  Wafhington  arrived  at  Cambridge* 
he  was  received  with  the  joyful  acclamations   of 
the  American  army.      At  the  head  of  his  troops, 
hepublifhed  a  declaration  previously  drawn  up  by 
eorigrefs,  in  the  nature  of  a  manifefto,    exhibiting 
the  reafons  for  taking  up  arms.     In  this,  after  enu- 
merating various  grievances  of  the  colonies,  and 
vindicating  them  from  a  premeditated    defign  of 
eftablifhing  independent  dates,  it   was  added,  "  in 
our  own  native  land,  in  defence  of  the  freedom 
which  is  our  birthright,  and  which  we  ever  enjoy. 
ed,  till  the  late  violation  of  it  ;  for  the  protection  of 
our  property,  acquired  folely  by   the  induftry   of 
our  forefathers  and  ourfelves,  againfl  violence  actu- 
ally offered,  we  have  taken  up  arms  ;  we  (hall  lay 
them  down,  when  hostilities  mail  ceafe  on  the  part 
of  the  aggretfbrs,  and  all  danger  of  their  being  re- 
newed mail  be  removed,  and  not  before."* 

AT  this  time  the  Britilh  were  entrenched  on 
Bunker's-hill,  having  alfo  three  floating  batteries 
in  Myftic  river,  and  a  twenty  gun  fhip  below  the 
ferry,  between  Bofton  and  Charleftown.  They 
had  the  neck  ftrongly  fortified,  and  a  battery  oil 
Cop's-hilL 

THE  continental  army,  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Wafhington,  amounted  to  about  14,500  men. 
They  were  entrenched  at  Winter  hill,  Profped 
hill,  and  Roxbury,  communicating  with  one  ano- 
ther by  fniall  polls,  over  a  diftance  of  ten  miles. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  3*5 

Parties  were  like  wife  Rationed  in  feveral  towns,  1775. 
along  the  fea  coaft.     This  whole  force  was  thrown  v 
into  three  grand  divifions :  Gen.  Ward  command- 
ed the  right  wing,  at  Roxbury  ;  Gen.  Lee,    the 
left,  at  Profpeft  hill ;  and    the   centre   was  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Wafhington.     Thefe  difpofitions 
were  fo  judicioufly  made,  that  the  Britifh  were  pent 
up  in  the  town,  and  excluded  from  the  provifions 
and  forage  which  the  adjacent  country,  and  iflands 
in  Bofton  bay  afforded.* 

GREAT  embarr ailments  occurred  in  forming  the 
Continental  army  into  a  tegular  fyftem.  Enter- 
prizing  leaders  had  come  forward  with  their  fol- 
lowers, without  a  fcrupulous  attention  to  rank ; 
but  it  was  impoflible  to  affign  to  every  officer  the 
flation,  that  his  fervices  merited,  or  to  which  his 
vanity  afpired  ;  to  introduce  difcipline  and  fubordi- 
nation  among  freemen,  who  were  accuflomed  to 
think  for  themfelves,  was  an  arduous  tafk.  Thofe 
difficulties  were  in  fome  meafure  furmounted  by 
the  perfeverance  and  refolution  of  the  commander 
in  chief.  The  troops  gradually  acquired  the  me- 
chanifm  and  movements  as  well  as  the  name  of  an 
army.  Method  and  punctuality  began  to  be  in- 
troduced. In  arranging  the  army,  the  military 
{kill  of  adjutant-general  Gates  was  of  great 
JtTvicc.f 

IT  was  found,  on  the  4th  of  Auguft,  that  the 
whole  ftock  of  powder  throughout  the  four  New- 
England  provinces,  could  make  but  little  more  than 
nine  rounds  a  man,  to  the  army  invert  ing 

*   Ram/ay,     f  MM,  Vol.  I  p.   224. 


HISTORY    OF 

1775.  Bofton.  This  was  generally  known  among  them* 
^^^  felves,  and  was  alfo  communicated  to  the  Britifh, 
by  a  deferter  ;  but  they  did  not  prefunie  to  rely 
on  this  intelligence.  Though  they  had  met  with 
unexpected  proofs  of  American  courage  ;  yet  they 
could  not  believe  that  the  colonifts  were  poifciTed 
of  fuch  confummate  ailurance  as  to  continue  in- 
veiling  them,  while  fo  deftitute  of  ammunition. 

AT  length  the  Americans  received  a  fupply  of  a 
few  tons,  which  was  fent  from  the  committee  of 
Elizabethtown  ;  and  foon  after  feveral  thoufand 
pounds  weight  was  obtained  from  Africa,  in  ex- 
change  for  New-England  rum,  This  was  manag- 
ed with  fo  much  addrefs,  that  every  ounce  for  fale 
in  the  Britifh  forts  on  the  African  coafts,  was  pur- 
chafed,  and  brought  off  for  the  ufe  of  the  colonifts. 
Nov.  THE  MaiTachufetts  affembly  and  continental 
congrefs  both  refolved,  to  fit  out  armed  veffels  to 
cruife  orj  the  American  coafts,  for  the  purpoie 
of  interrupting  warlike  {lores  and  fupplies,  defign- 
ed  for  the  ufe  of  the  Britifh  army*  The  object 
was  at  fir  ft  limited,  but  as  the  profpect  of  accom- 
modation vanifhed,  it  was  extended  to  all  Britifh 
property  afloat  on  the  high  feas. 

WHILST  the  Americans  were  fitting  out  armed 
veffels,  _.previpufly  to  their  making  any  captures, 
Talmouth,  a  town  in  the  norfh-eaflern  .part  of 
IvJaiTachufetts,  was  burnt  by  captain  Mo  war,  un- 
der the  orders  of  the  Britifh  admiral  at  Bofton, 
The  inhabitants,  in  compliance  with  a  reiblve  of 
the  provincial  congrefs  to  prevent  tories  convey- 
ing out  their  effects,  gave  violent  obft  ruclion  to  the 


NE  W-ENGL  AND,  317 

loading  of  a  maft-fhip,  which  drew  upon  them  the  1775. 
indignation  of  the  admiral.     This  event  fpread  an 
alarm  upon  the  fea  coaft  ;  but  produced  no  difpo- 
fition  to  fubmit   to   the   arbitrary   impofitions   of 
Great-Britain.* 

IN  a  few  days  after  the  burning  of  Falmouth, 
the  old  fouth  meeting-houfe,  in  Bofton,  was  taken 
into  poifeffion  by  the  Britifh,  and  deftined  for  a 
riding  fchool,  and  the  feivice  of  the  light  dragoons. 
Thefe  proceedings  tended  to  irritate  the  colonifts, 
and  added  energy  to  their  determined  fpirjt  of  re* 
fiftance. 

THE  firft  naval  attempts  of  the  Americans  were 
crowned  with  fuccefs.  On  the  29th  of  Novem- 
ber, the  Lee  privateer,  commanded  by  captain 
Manly,  belonging  to  Marblehead,  captured  the 
brig  Nancy,  containing  fuch  a  variety  of  military 
ftores,  that  had  congrefs  fent  an  order  for  the  ar- 
ticles mod  wanted,  they  cculd  not  have  made  out 
a  more  fuitable  invoice.  The  whole  value  of  the 
veiTel  and  cargo  was  computed  at  50,000!,  and 
this  lofs  in  particular  occafioned  much  difcontent 
in  Britain. 

SOON  after,  feveral  ftore-fhips  were  captured  by 
the  Americans,  which  were  designed  for  the  ufc 
of  the  BritiPn  army  in  Bofton.  Thefe  events  in- 
creafed  the  diftreffes  of  the  royal  troops  in  that 
town  ;  furnifhed  fupplies  for  the  continental  army  ; 
and  encouraged  the  inhabitants  of  New-England  to 

.  rtrvl;-:-  this  hazardous  btifmefs. 


*  Gordon.   Vol.  11.  $.    132, 


3*6  HISTORY    OF 

1775.  BEFORE  the  clofe  of  the  year,  congrefs  deter* 
mined  to  build  five  veffels  of  thirty-two  guns,  five 
of  twenty-eight,,  and  three  of  twenty-four,  in  order 
to  diflrels  the  enemy,  and  protect  their  own  coafls.* 
IN  the  month  of  November,  the  general  aflem- 
bly  of  Rhode-Ifland  pafled  an  ad  for  the  capital 
punifhment  of  perions,  who  mould  be  found  guilty 
of  holding  a  traitorous  correfpondence  with  the 
miniftry  of  Great-Britain,  or  any  of  their  officers 
or  agents,  or  of  fupplying  the  minifterial  army  or 
navy,  employed  againft  the  united  colonies,  with 
provifions,  arms,  &c.  or  of  acting  as  pilots  on 
board  any  of  their  veifeis,  They  alfo  palfed  an  aft 
for  fequeftering  the  eftatcs  of  feveral  perfons,  whom 
they  confidered  as  avowed  enemies  to  the  liber* 
;ies  of  America.f 

*  Rem/ay,  V*L  I.  p.  22$.     f  GorJc*,  Vol.  II. p.  123. 


NEW. ENGLAND.  319 


CHAPTER     XXVL 

The  Canada  expedition.  Death  of  General  Mont- 
gomery. Difputes  of  Lord  Dunmore  with  the  Vir- 
ginians. Scheme  of  Connelly  to  bring  the  Ohio 
Indians  to  a  junftionwith  Lord  Dunmore  at  Alex- 
andria. North  and  South-Carolina  expel  their 
governors. 


H  E  fuccefs,  which  had  hitherto  at- 
tended the  Americans,  now  emboldened  them  to 
think  not  only  of  defending  themfelves,  but  like- 
wife  of  acting  offenfiveJy  againfl  Great-Britain* 
The  conqueft  of  Canada  appeared  an  object  with- 
in their  reach,  and  one  that  would  be  attended 
with  many  advantages.  As  an  invafion  of  that 
province  was  already  facilitated  by  the  taking  of 
Crown-Point  and  Ticonderoga,  it  was  refolved, 
if  pollible,  to  penetrate  that  way  into  Canada,  and 
reduce  Quebec  during  the  winter,  before  the  fleets 
and  armies,  which  they  were  well  aflured  would 
fail  thither  from  Britain,  mould  arrive. 

CONGRESS  committed  the  management  of  their 
military  arrangements  in  this  northern  department 
to  Gen.  Schuyler  and  Gen.  Montgomery.  While 
the  former  remained  at  Albany,  to  attend  an  In- 
dian treaty,  the  latter  was  fent  forward  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  with  a  body  of  troops  from  New-York  and 
New-England.  At  length  Gen.  Schuyler  was 
taken  ill,  and  the  fole,  command  devolved  upon 


17 


/  /JP 


,  c  HIbTO  R  Y    01 

1775.  Gsn.  Montgomery.  He  was  oppofed  by  General 
Carlton,  governor  of  Canada,  an  a&ive  and  ex- 
perienced officer. 

AFTER  receiving  the  full  number  of  troops  ap- 
pointed for  his  expedition,  Gen.  Montgomery  de- 
termined to  befiege  St.  John's,  the  fir  ft  Britifli  poft 
in  Canada.  This  attempt  was  facilitated  by  the 
reduction  of  Charnblee,  a  frnall  fort  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, where  he  found  a  fupply  of  fix  tons  of 
gunpowder.  Whilft  Gen.  Montgomery  was  pro- 
fecuting  the  fiege,  the  governor  of  the  province 
prepared  to  oppofe  him  ;  and  for  that  purpofe  col- 
lected, at  Montreal,  about  800  men,  chiefly  mili- 
tia and  Indians.  While  Gen.  Carlton  and  his 
forces  were  on  their  march,  they  were  attacked  by 
col.  Warner,  and  three  hundred  of  the  green 
mountain  boys,  and  totally  defeated.  In  confe- 
quence  of  this  event  the  garrifon  of  St.  John's  con- 
fented  to  furrender  ;  the  prifoners  amounted  to 
about  700,  and  were  treated  with  great  humanity. 
COL.  Allen  attended  Gen.  Montgomery  at  the 
fiege  of  St.  John's.  The  fuccefs  which  this  gentle- 
man met  with  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown-Point, 
emboldened  him  to  make  a  fimilar  attempt  at  Mont- 
real. He  was  there  attacked  by  the  militia  of  the 
place,  fupported  by  a  detachment  of  regulars ; 
and  though  he  defended  himfelf  with  great  brave- 
ry, was  under  the  neceflity  of  furrendering,  with 
38  of  his  men.  The  colonel  was  loaded  with 
irons,  and  in  that  condition  fent  to  England.* 

frl.  I.  j>.  230—232.     Lendrumt   Vol.  //./.   55- 


NEW- EN  GL  AND.  321 

ON  the  1 2th  of  November,  Gen.  Montgomery  1775. 
preffed  on  to  Montreal,  which,  not  being  capable  ^^^^ 
of  making  any  defence,  governor  Carlton  quitted 
it  one  day,  and  the  American  general  entered  it 
the  next. 

ABOUT  the  fame  time  that  Canada  was  invaded  Sen.  15. 
in  the  ufual  route  from  New- York,  col.  Arnold 
was  detached  with  a  thoufand  men  from  Cam- 
bridge, to  penetrate  into  Canada  by  the  way  of 
the  Kennebeck.  Up  the  river,  they  proceeded  with 
great  labor  and  difficulty,  being  impeded  by  a 
very  rapid  dream,  with  rocky  fides  and  bottom, 
cataracts,  carrying-places,  and  other  obflacles. 
In  their  march  by  land,  they  were  obliged  alter- 
nately to  encounter  deep  fwamps,  thick  woods, 
difficult  mountains,  and  craggy  precipices  ;  fo  that 
the  general  progrefs  was  only  from  four  to  ten 
miles  a  day.  This  incelTant  labor  caufed  many  to 
fall  fick.  One  third  of  the  number,  which  fet  out, 
were,  from  want  of  neceffaries,  obliged  to  return; 
the  others  proceeded  with  unabated  fortitude  and 
conftancy.  Provifions  became,  at  length,  fo  fcarce, 
that  fome  of  the  men  ate  their  dogs,  and  fome 
their  fhoes  and  cartcuch-boxes.  Col.  Arnold, 
however,  and  the  few,  who  adhered  to  him,  fcarce- 
ly  four  hundred  in  number,  were  determined  to 
furmount  every  obftacle.  After  marching  three 
hundred  miles,  through  an  uninhabited  country, 
they  crtmc  to  an  houfe,  which  was  the  firii  they 
had  feen  for  thirty-one  days.  By  this  bold  enter - 

R  r 


£2.2  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    OF 

1775.  prize,  Arnold  acquired  the  name  of  the  Amen* 
can  Hannibal.* 

UPON  colonel  Arnold's  arrival,  he  circulated 
among  the  inhabitants  of  Canada  a  manifefto,  fub« 
fcribed  by  Gen,  Wafhington,  which  had  been 
fent  from  Cambridge  with  this  detachment, 

GEN.  Montgomery  having  effected  a  junction 
with  col.  Arnold,  commenced  the  fiege  of  Que- 
bee.  Upon  his  arrival  before  the  town,  he  wrote 
a  letter  to  the  Britiffi  governor,  recommending  an 
immediate  furrender,  to  prevent  the  dreadful  con- 
fequences  of  a  ftorm.  Though  the  flag,  which 
conveyed  this  letter,  was  fired  upon,  and  all  com- 
munication  refufed,  Gen.  Montgomery  found  oth- 
er means  to  convey  a  letter  of  the  fame  tenor  into 
the  garrifon  ;  but  the  inflexible  firmnefs  of  the 
governor  could  not  be  moved  either  by  threats  or 
dangers.  The  Americans  foon  after  commenced 
a  bombardment  with  five  final!  mortars,  but  with 
very  little  effeft.  In  a  few  days,  Gen.  Montgom- ' 
cry  opened  a  fix  gun  battery,  at  the  diftance  of 
feven  hundred  yards  from  the  walls  ;  but  his 
metal  was  too  light  to  make  any  impreflion.t 

THE  upper  part  of  Quebec  was  furrounded  with 
rery  ilrong  works,  and  the  acceis  from  the  lower 
town  was  exceflively  difficult,  from  its  alinoft  per- 
pendicular flecpnefs.  Gen.  Montgomeiy,  from  a 
native  intrepidity,  and  an  ardent  third  for  glory, 
overlooked  all  thefe  dangers,  and  reiblved  it  once 
either  to  carry  the  place  or  perifh  in  the  attempt, 
much  to  his  good  fortune,  confiding  in 

*  Ram/ay,   Vol.  1.  f.   231.      f   Ibid,  p.  240. 


N  E  W  .  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  325 

the  bravery  of  his  troops,  and  their  readinefs  to  1775. 


follow  whitherfoever  he  (houlcl  lead  ;  and  depend- 
ing  fomewhat  on  the  extenfivenefs  of  the  works, 
he  determined  to  attempt  the  town  by  efcalade.* 

THE  garrifon  of  Quebec,  at  this  time,  confid- 
ed of  about  1520  men,  of  which  800  were  mill* 
tia.  The  American  army,  confiding  of  about  800 
men,  was  divided  into  four  bodies,  of  which  two 
were  dire&ed  to  make  falfe  attacks  on  the  upper 
town  ;  one  by  col.  Livingdon,  at  the  head  of  the 
Canadians,  againft  St.  John's  gate  ;  and  the  other 
by  major  Brown,  againd  Cape-Diamond  ;  whilft 
Gen.  Montgomery  and  col.  Arnold  were  to  make 
two  real  ones  againft  the  lower  town.  Signals 
were  to  be  made  for  the  combination  of  the  at- 
tacks, which  were  to  begin  exaclly  at  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning.f 

THE  different  routes  the  affailants  had  to  make, 
the  depth  of  the  fnow,  and  other  obdacles,  pre- 
vented the  execution  of  Livingfton's  command. 
Gen.  Montgomery  moved  with  his  divifion,  and  Dzc.%1. 
palTed  the  firft  barrier  ;  he  then  advanced  boldly 
to  attack  the  fecond,  which  was  much  ftronger. 
A  violent  difcharge  of  grape-mot  from  feveral  can- 
non, together  with  a  well  directed  fire  of  mufket- 
ry,  '  here  put  an  end  to  the  life  and  hopes  of  this 
enterpiizing  officer.  His  aid-de-camp,  capt.  John 
M'Pherfon,  capt.  Chcefman,  and  mod  of  his  other 
officers,*  fell  at  the  fame  time.  This  fa  difpirited 
the  men,  that  col.  Campbell,  on  whom  the  com- 
mand devolved,  thought  proper  to  order  a  retreat.  { 

*  Remfaj,  Vol.  /./>.  £41,   4  Gorder.t  Vol.  I,  p,  i8f    %  Lendrum* 


-4  HISTORY    OF 

1775.  IN  the  mean  time  col.  Arnold,  at  the  head  of 
^^  35°  men?  paifed  through  St.  Roques,  and  made  a 
furious  attack  upon  a  two  gun  battery,  which, 
although  well  defended,  was,  at  length,  earned, 
with  confiderable  lofs.  In  this  attack  col.  Arnold 
received  a  wound,  which  made  it  necefTary  to  car- 
ry  him  off  the  field  of  battle.  His  party,  howe* 
ver,  continued  the  aflault  with  great  energy,  and 
made  themfelves  matters  of  a  fecond  barrier* 
Thefe  brave  men  fuilained  the  force  of  the  whole 
garrifon  for  three  hour%  but  finding  themfelves 
hemmed  in,  and  without  hopes  either  of  fuccefs, 
relief  or  retreat,  they  yielded  to  numbers,  and  the 
advantageous  fituation  of  their  adverfaries.* 

THE  lofs  of  the  Americans,  in  killed  and  wound- 
ed, was  about  100,  and  300  were  taken  prifoners. 
It  is  remarked,  even  by  a  Britifli  hiftoriun,  "  that 
the  valor  of  the  provincial  troops  could  not  be  ex* 
ceeded." 

THE  death  of  Gen.  Montgomery  was  greatly 
and  fmcerely  regretted.  He  was  of  a'good  fami- 
ly in  Ireland,  and  ferved  with  reputation  in  the 
late  war  with  France.  He  engaged  in  the  Amer- 
ican contefl  from  a  fincere  attachment  to  the 
caufs  of  liberty,  and  quitted  the  enjoyment  of  ;in 
eafy  fortune,  and  the  higheft  domefUc  felicity, 
for  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  war.  In  his  mili- 
tary flation,  he  gained  the  love,  eftecm  and  con- 
fidence of  the  whole  army  ;  and  while  his  amiable 
qualities  conciliated  an  uncommon  (hare  of  pri- 
vate aiFe&ion,  his  great  abilities  procured  an  equal 

*  Ram  fay.  Vol.  I.  p.  242. 


NE  W-ENGLAND.  325 

proportion  of  public  efteem.  '  His  name  was  even  1775. 
mentioned,  in  the  Britifli  parliament,  with  fmgu- 

lar  refped.* 

SIR  Guy  Carlton  treated  the  American  prifoiu 
ers  with  the  utmoft  humanity.  He  liberally  fup- 
plied  the  lick  and  wounded  with  every  neceiTary 
accommodation ;  and  foothed  their  minds  with 
the  pleating  affurance,  that,  upon  their  recovery, 
they  mould  have  free  liberty  to  depart.  Thig  gen- 
erous  line  of  conduct  redounded  more  to  his  hon* 
or  than  his  brave  and  judicicus  defence,  in  a  dan- 
gerous  and  critical  fituatioh. 

THE  collected  remnant  of  the  American  army, 
after  their  unfuccefsful  attack,  agreed  in  a  council 
of  war,  that  col.  Arnold  mould  command,  and 
fhould  continue  the  fiege,  or  rather  the  blockade, 
which  was  accordingly  done,  apparently  at  no 
fmall  riik,  as  they  had  not  more  than  four  hun- 
dred men  fit  for  duty  ;  they  retired  about  three 
miles  from  the  city,  and  potted  ehemfelves  advan- 
tageoufly. 

WHILST  hoflilities  were  conduced  with  vigor 
in  the  north,  the  flame  of  contention  was  gradu- 
ally extending  to  the  fouth.  Lord  Dunmore,  the 
governor  of  Virginia,  was  involved  in  difputes  fim- 
ilar  to  thofe,  which  had  taken  place  in  the  other 
colonies.  The  inhabitants  of  Virginia,  in  com- 
mon with  the  other  provinces,  had  been  affiduous 
in  preparing  their  militia  for  the  purpofes  of  de- 
fence. Whilft  they  were  purfuing  this  objecl, 
£ord  Dunmore  removed  the  powder  from  Wil- 

*  GorJsr,  Vol.  11  p.  i  88.    Ram/ay,  Vol.  I.  p.  24.3.     &  j6». 
*™i  K'&tf'r,    1776,  /.    15. 


HISTORY    OF 

1775.  liam'flnirg.  The  people  were  alarmed,  and  affem- 
bled  with  arms  to  demand  its  reftitution.  By  the 
interpofition  of  the  mayor  and  corporation  of  Wil- 
liam (burg,  extremities  were  prevented.  Reports 
were  foon  after  circulated,  that  a  fecond  attempt 
to  rob  the  magazine  was  intended.  The  inhabit- 
ants  again  took  arms,  and  inftituted  nightly  pat- 
roles,  with  a  determined  refoiution  to  protect  it. 
The  governor  was  irritated  at  thefe  commotions, 
and  threatened  to  fet  up  the  royal  ftandard,  en- 
franchife  the  negroes,  and  arm  them  againft  their 
matters.  Thefe  unguarded  expreflions  greatly  in* 
creafed  the  public  ferment.* 

THE  people  held  frequent  affemblies.  A  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  of  Hanover  and  the  neighbor- 
ing counties  convened  in  arms,  with  a  defign  to 
force  the  governor  to  reftore  the  powder,  and  to 
take  the  public  money  into  their  own  pofieflion. 
On  their  way  to  Williamfburg  for  this  purpofe, 
they  were  met  by  the  receiver  general,  who  be- 
came fecurity  for  the  payment  of  the  gunpowder, 
and  the  citizens  engaged  to  guard  the  magazine 
and  public  revenue.f 

LORD  Dunmore  was  fo  much  intimidated  by 
this  infurre&ion,  that  he  fent  his  family  on  board 
the  Fowey  man  of  war.  About  the  fame  period 
his  lordlhip,  with  the  affiftance  of  a  detachment 
of  marines,  fortified  his  palace,  and  furrounded 
it  with  artillery.  He  foon  after  iflued  a  procla- 
mation, in  which  the  perfon,  who  promoted  the 
late  tumult,  and  his  affociates,  were  charged  with 

*  Ramfay,  Vol.  I  p.  245.     Lendrum,  Vol,  II.  p.  65.     f  Ibid. 


NEW. ENGLAND.  327 

treasonable  pra&ices.     About  this  time  copies,  of  1775. 
fome  of  his  letters  to  the  minifter  of  the  American 
department,  were  made  public,  and  produced  con- 
fequences  funiiar  to  thofe,  which  had  been  occa- 
fioned  by  thofe  of  Mr.  Hutchinfon,  at  Bofton.* 

IN  this  fhte  of  diforder,  the  governor  convened 
the  general  aflfembly,  in  order  to  lay  before  them 
Lord  North's  conciliatory  plan ;  which  was  unan- 
imoufiy  rejected.  The  affembly  began  their  fef- 
fion  by  enquiries  into  the  (late  of  the  magazine. 
They  found  mod  of  the  remaining  powder  buried, 
and  the  muikets  deprived  of  their  locks.  Thcfe 
difcoveries  irritated  the  people  to  fuch  a  degree, 
that  Lord  Dunmore  retired  on  board  the  man  of  May  8. 
war,  which  then  lay  near  Yorktown.  He  left  a 
mefiage  for  the  affembly,  acquainting  them,  that  he 
thought  it  prudent  to  xetire,  as  he  apprehended 
himfelf  in  danger  of  falling  a  facriftoe  to  popular 
refentment.  This  produced  a  tedious  altercation, 
which  ended  in  a  pofitive  refufal  of  the  governor 
to  truft  himfelf  again  in  Williamfburg.  In  his 
turn,  he  requefted  them  to  meet  him  on  board  the 
man  of  war,  for  the  purpofe  of  giving  his  aflent  to 
fuch  bills  as  he  fhould  approve.  This  propofal 
the  affembly  peremptorily  rejected  ;  and  the  royal 
government  in  Virginia  came  to  a  period. 

AFTER  Lord  Dunmore  abandoned  his  govern* 
nient,  fotne  of  the  moft  ftrenuous  adherents  to 
the  Britifh  caufe  repaired  to  him.  He  was  alfo 
joined  by  numbers  of  black  Haves.  With  thefe, 
and  the  afli fiance  of  the  Britifh  (hipping,  he  was, 

*  Ram/ay,  Vol.  I,  /.  346.      Lenarurn,  Fel.  II.  p.  65. 


3.2$  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1775.  for  feme  time,   enabled  to  carry  on  a  kind  of 

^^  predatory  war.       After   fome  inconfiderable  at- 

tempts  on  land,   proclaiming  liberty  to  the  flaves, 

and  fetting  up  the  royal  ftandard,  he  and  his  party 

took  up  their  refidence  at  Norfolk.* 

A  CONSIDERABLE  force  colle&ed  againft  them, 
by  whom  they  were  utterly  defeated.     Lord  Dun- 
more  abandoned  Norfolk,  and   retired    with  his 
people  on  board  the  (hips.     The  provincials    took 
poflefilon  of  the  place,  and  greatly  diftrefled  thofe 
on  board,  by  refilling  to  fupply  them  with  necef- 
faries,    and  by  firing  on  them  from  behind  the 
buildings  arid  warehoufes  on  the  wharves.     Thefe 
proceedings  drew  a  remonftrance  from  Lord  Dun- 
more,  in  which  he  alfo  infifted,  that  his  fleet  mould 
be  furniihed  with  neceffaries ;    but  his  requeft  be- 
ing denied,  a  refokition  was  taken  to  fet  fire  to  the 
1776,  town.     This  was  carried  into  effect,  and  Norfolk 
Jan.  i,  by  his  order  was  reduced  to  afhes.     The  town  con- 
tained about  fix  thoufand  inhabitants,  and  fome  in 
affluent  circumftances.     The  whole  lofs  was  efti- 
mated  at  three  hundred  thoufand  pounds  fterling. 
IN  the  mean  time,   a  plan  was  formed  by  one 
Mr.  Connelly,  a  Pennfylvanian  royaliu,  in  which 
Lord  Dunmore  was  a  party.      Having  previoully 
entered  into  a  league  with  the  Ohio   Indians,   the 
plan  in  general  was,  that  Connelly  fhould  return  to 
the   Ohio,  where,  by  the  afliftance  of  the   Britifli 
and  Indians  in   thofe   parts,   he  was   to  penetrate 
through  the  back  fettlenients   into   Virginia,   and 
join  Lord  Dunmore  at  Alexandria.     \Vhilfl  on  his 

*  Ram/ay,  7V.  I.  p.  249,  2$O.     Cordon,   Vul<ll.p.  207. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  329 

way  to  the  fcene  of  action, Connelly  was  difcovered,  1775- 
and  taken  prifoner. 

IN  the  colonies  of  North  and  South-Carolina, 
the  royal  governors  were  expelled,  and  obliged, 
like  Lord  Dunmore,  to  take  refuge  on  board  of 
men  of  war.  Governor  Martin,  of  North-Caroli- 
na, attempted  to  raife  the  back  fettlers,  confiding 
chiefly  of  Scotch  Highlanders,  againfl  the  colony. 
They  prematurely  took  arms,  and  in  an  engagement 
which  took  place,  their  leader  was  taken  prifoner, 
and  the  whole  of  the  party  broken  or  difperfed.* 

IN  the  courfe  of  this  year,  a  feries  of  difaiters  fol- 
lowed the  royal  caufe.  General  Gage's  army  was 
clofely  befieged  in  Bofton,  and  rendered  ufelefs. 
There  was  a  general  termination  of  the  royal  gov- 
ernment ;  and  Great-Britain  beheld  all  the  colo- 
nies united  againft  her  in  the  moil  determined  op- 
pofition. 

*  Ram/ay,  Vol.!.}.  253. 


S  s 


K  I  S  T  O  R  Y    G 


CHAPTER     XXVII. 

Anew  army  is  raffed.  Bcjton  attacked  and  evacuat* 
ed.  Canada  recovered  by  the  royal  army. 
Cbarleflon,  in  South*  Carolina ',  bcjlcgcd  by  a  Britijh 
jleet  and  army.  "They  arc  obliged  io  retreat  will) 
great  /o/s.  Proceedings  of  the  Briiifh  p 
went. 


A 


S  the  year  1775  drew  neaf  to  a 
clofe,  the  friends  of  congrei's  were  embarraited 
with  a  new  difficulty.  Their  army  was  temporary, 
and  only  engaged  to  ferve  out  tne  year.  From  a 
variety  of  caufes  the  new  enlKlrnents  went  on  flow- 
ly.  So  many  difficulties  retarded  the  recruiting 
fervice,  thai  on  the  la(t  day  of  the  year,  the  whole 
American  army  amounted  only  to  9650  men. 
Gen.  Waihington,  in  his  official  letters  to  the 
American  congrefs  on  this  occafion,  thus  expref- 
fes  himfelf.  "  It  is  not  in  the  p^ges  of  hiftory, 
perhaps,  to  furniih  a  cafe  like  ours  ;  to  maintain 
a  poft  within  mulket-fhot  of  the  enemy,  for  fix 
months  together,  without  ,*  and  at  the  fame 

time  to  difband  one  army,  and  recruit  another, 
within  that  diflance  of  twenty-odd  Britim  regi- 
ments, is  more,  probably,  than  ever  was  attempted. 
But  if  we  fucceed  as  well  in  the  lafl,  as  we  have 
heretofore  in  the  firfl,  I  mail  think  it  the  moil 
fortunate  event  of  my-  whole  life/* 

*   Left  blank  in    the  original,  io  guard  cgairji    tbf  dangtr  of' 
mt [carriage.      Read  "  wi 


N  E  W  -  E  N  C  L  A  K  D.  531 

AT  this  period  the  Britifh  troops  in  Boftcn  were  17761. 
fuffcring  the  inconveniency  of  a  blockade;*  they 
•were  reduced  to  great  diftrefs  for  want  of  provifions 
and  fuel.  The  fupplies  from  Britain  did  not  ar- 
rive till  a  long  time  after  they  were  expected  ;  and 
feveral  flore-fhips  were  intercepted  by  the  Ameri- 
cans. 

THE  American  army,  including  the  militia, 
which  were  collected  on  this  occafion,  made  aa 
operating  force  of  about  17,000  men,  before 
Boilon  y  but  they  labored  under  great  inconve- 
ttiencies  from  the  want  of  arms  and  ammunition. 
On  the  1 6th  of  February,  1776,  the  ftrength  of 
the  ice  having  been  tried  in  one  place,  and  the 
fro fl  continuing,  Gen.  Wafhington  was  defirous 
of  embracing  the  feafon  for  palling  over  it,  from 
Cambridge  fide,  into  Bofton,  He  laid  before  the 
council  of  war,  the  following  queftion.  u  A  flroke 
well  aimed  at  this  critical  juncture  may  put  a  final 
period  to  the  war,  and  reftore  peace  and  tranquili- 
ty,  fo  much  to  be  wifhed  for ;  and,  therefore, 
whether,  part  of  Cambridge  and  Roxbury  bays 
being  frozen  over,  a  general  alTault  ihould  not  be 
made  on  Bofton  ?"f 

A  NEGATIVE  being  put  to  this  queftion,  trie 
next  point  to  be  confidered  was,  whether  they 
ihould  attempt  to  poilcfs  themfeives  of  Dorchefter 
heights ;  this  was  unanimouily  agreed  upona  and 
conducted  with  the  utmoft  expedition. 

*  Gen.  Gage  had  ^e parted  for  England,  and  was  fucceedel  by 
Gen.  Hy-u.e.  f  Gotdent  Vdl>  II.  p,  l8>j, 


332  HISTORY    OF 

1776.  To  conceal  the  defign,  and  divert  the  attention 
of  thegarrifon,  a  very  heavy  fervice  of  cannon  and 
mortars  began  to  play  upon  the  town  from  other 
directions,  and  was  continued  for  three  days. 

THE  night  of  the  4th  of  March  was  fixed  upon 
for  taking  poffeffion  of  Dorchefter  heights.  A 
covering  party  of  about  800  men  led  the  way. 
Thefe  were  followed  by  the  carts  with  the  entrench- 
ing tools,  and  1 200  of  a  working  party,  command- 
ed by  Gen.  Thomas. 

IN  the  rear  there  were  more  than  200  carts, 
loaded  with  fafcines  and  hay  in  bundles.  While 
the  cannon  were  playing  in  other  parts,  the  great- 
eft  filence  was  kept  in  this  working  party. 

By  morning  the  induftrious  provincials  complet- 
ed lines  of  defence,  on  Dorchefter  heights,  which 
aftonifhed  the  garrifon.      "  Some  of  our  officers," 
fays  a  Britilh  author,  "  have  acknowledged,  that 
the  expedition,  with  which  thefe  works  were  thrown 
up,  with  their  fudden  and  unexpected  appearance, 
recalled  to  their  minds  thofe  wonderful  ftorics  of 
enchantment  and  invifible   agency,  which   are   fo 
frequent  in  eaftern  romances.5'*     General  Howe, 
in  particular,  Was  feized  with   confternation  ;  and 
was  heard  to  fay,  "  I   know  not  what  I  (hall  do  ; 
the  rebels  have  done  more  in  one  night  than  my 
whole  army  could  have  done  in  months." 

THE  admiral  informed  Gen.  Howe,  that  if  the 
Americans  kept  poffeffion  of  thefe  heights,  he  ihould 
not  be  able  to  keep  one  of  his  majeity's  (hips  in  the 
harbor.  It  was  therefore  determined,  in  a  coun* 

*  Annual  Regij]tr>   175?  6-,  />.  148, 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  333 

cilofwar,  to  attempt  to  diilodge  them.  An  «n-  1776. 
gagement  was  hourly  expe&ed.  It  was  intended 
by  General  Waftiington,  in  that  cafe,  to  force  his 
\vay  into  Boflon  xvith  4000  men,  who  were  to 
have  embarked  at  the  mouth  of  Cambridge  riven 
The  militia  had  come  forward  with  great  alert- 
nefs,  each  bringing  three  days  provifion,  in  ex- 
pectation of  an  immediate  aifault.  The  men  were 
in  high  fpirits,  and  impatiently  waiting  for  the 
appeal.* 

THEY  were  reminded  that  it  was  the  5th  of 
March,  and  were  called  upon  to  avenge  the  death 
of  their  countrymen  killed  on  that  day.  The 
many  eminences  in  and  near  Bofton,  which  over- 
looked the  ground  on  which  it  was  expe&ed  that 
the  contending  parties  would  engage,  were  crowd- 
ed with  numerous  fpettators.  But  Gen.  Howe 
did  not  intend  to  attack  till  the  fubfequent  day. 
In  order  to  be  ready  for  it,  the  tranfports  went 
down  in  the  evening  towards  the  cattle.  In  the 
night  a  mod  violent  florm,  and  towards  morning 
a  heavy  flood  of  rain,  came  on,  which  providen- 
tially prevented  a  dreadful  wafte  of  lives.  In 
this  fituation  it  was  agreed  by  the  Britifh,  in  a 
council  of  war,  to  evacuate  the  town  as  foon  as 
poflible. 

ON  the  7th  of  March,  there  was  a  general 
hurry  and  confufion  in  Boflon  ;  the  Britifh  troops 
and  many  of  the  inhabitants,  who  were  attached 
to  the  royal  caufe,  being  bufy  in  preparing  to  quit  the 
town,  and  carry  off  all  they  could  of  their  military 
*  Ramfay.  Vol.  /."/>.  262.  Gorttw,  JV,  II.  p. 


334  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    OF 

1 776.  ftores  and  valuable  effe&s,  A  flag  was  fent  out  from 
the  felecVmen,  acquainting  Gen.  Wafhington  with 
the  intention  of  the  troops,  and  that  Gen.  Howe 
was  difpofed  to  leave  the  town  (landing,  provided 
he  could  retire  uninterrupted.  Gen.  Wafhington 
bound  Mmfelf  under  no  obligation,  but  exprefied 
himfelf  in  words,  which  admitted  of  a  favorable 
conflruction,  and  intimated  his  good  withes  for  the 
prefervation  of  Bofton. 

THE  Britifh  troops,  who  evacuated  Bofton, 
amounted  to  more  than  7000  men.  They  were 
accompanied  by  a  large  number  of  tories.  Their 
embarkation  was  attended  with  many  circumftan- 
ces  of  diftrefs  arid  embarrafTment.  Their  intended 
voyage  to  Halifax  fubjecled  them  to  great  dangers. 
The  coafl,  at  all  times  hazardous,  was  eminently 
fo  at  that  tempeftuous  equinoctial  feafon.  Not* 
\vithftanding  thele  unfavorable  appearances,  their 
voyage  was  fhort  and  profperous.* 

THE  boats  employed  in  the  embarkation  of  the 
Britiih  troops,  had  fcarcely  completed  their  bu- 
finefs,  when  General  Wafhington,  with  his  army, 
marched  into  Bofton.  He  was  received  by  the  in- 
habitants, with  every  mark  of  refped  and  grati- 
tude, which  could  be  paid  to  a  deliverer.  He  was 
honored  by  congrefs  with  a  vote  of  thanks.  They 
alfo  ordered  a  medal  to  be  ftruck,  with  fuitable  de- 
vices, to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  this  great 
event.  The  MaiTachufetts  council,  and  houfe  of 
repreientatives,  complimented  him  in  a  joint  ad- 
drefs,  in  whicri  they  expreffed  their  good  wimes  ia 


NE  W-ENGL  AND.  335 

the  following  words:  "  may  you  (till  go  on  approv-  1776. 
ed  by  heaven,  revered  by  all  good  men,  and  dread- 
ed  by  thofe  tyrants,  who  claim  their  fellow  men  as 
their  property."* 

THOUGH  congrefs  and  the  ftates  made  great  e** 
ertions  to  fupport  the  war  in  Canada,  yet,  fiom 
the  fail  of  Montgomery,  their  intereil  in  that  prov- 
ince daily  declined.  The  reduction  of  Quebec  was 
an  object  to  which  their  refources  were  inadequate. 
General  Carlton  had  received  fcveral  reinforce^ 
ments  from  England  ;  and  the  Britilh  forces  in. 
Canada  were  eftimated  at  about  1 3,000  men.  The 
provincial  army  amounted  to  3000,  and,  from  the 
prevalence  of  the  fmall-pox,  there  were  only  900 
fit  for  duty.  With  this  miall  army  Gen.  Thomp- 
fon  projected  an  attack  on  the  Britifh  force  at 
Three  Rivers  ;  which  is  half  way  between  Quebec 
and  Montreal.  Though  the  Americans  conduct* 
ed  this  enterprize  with  great  bravery,  they  were 
foon  repulfed,  and  obliged  to  yield  to  fuperior  force. 
Gen.  Sullivan  conducted  the  retreat  with  fo  much 
judgment,  that  the  baggage  and  public  (lores  were 
laved,  and  the  numerous  fick  brought  off.  The 
American  army  reached  Crown-Point  on  the  id 
of  July,  and  at  that  place  made  their  firit  ftand.f 

WITH  this  unfavorable  event,  the  Americans  re- 
lu&antly  relinquiihcd  Canada.  They  demoliihed 
their  works,  and  carried  off  their  artillery,  with 
the  utmoft  expedition.  When  the  Britifh  general 
arrived  at  St.  John's,  he  found  the  place  abandon- 

*  Ramjayt  VoL  1.  f.  265.     f  Ibid,  f.  267—274. 


336  II I  S  T  O  R  Y    OF 

1776.  ed  and  burnt.  Chamblee  fhared  the  fame  fate, 
L^rs-*  and  all  Canada  was  recovered  by  the  king's  troops. 
AFTER  the  expulllon  of  the  American  army 
from  Canada,  they  exerted  themfelves  to  the  ut- 
moft  to  maintain  a  naval  fuperiority  on  Lake 
Champlain  ;  for  this  purpofe,  a  fleet  was  conflrudl- 
ed,  and  put  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Arnold* 
The  command  of  this  lake  was  a  great  object  with 
the  Britim,  towards  accomplifhing  their  defigns  on 
the  northern  frontiers  of  New- York.  Hence  they 
were  induced  to  proceed  up  the  lake,  and  engage 
0^.3.  the  Americans.  A  fmart  naval  aclion  enfued,  in 
which  the  Americans  refitted  a  fuperior  force,  with 
a  fpirit  approaching  to  defperation.  When  Gen. 
Arnold  law  that  it  was  irnpoflible  to  efcape,  and 
unavailing  to  refill,  he  ran  the  Congrefs  galley,  on 
board  of  which  he  was,  together  with  the  five  gon- 
dolas on  more,  in  fuch  a  poiition,  as  enabled  him 
to  land  his  men,  and  blow  up  the  veflels.  In  the 
execution  of  this  perilous  enterprise,  he  paid  a 
romantic  attention  to  a  point  of  honor.  He  did 
not  quit  his  own  galley,  till  (he  was  in  flames,  leil 
the  Britim  ihould  board  her  and  ftrike  his  flag. 
Though  the  refult  of  this  action  was  unfavorable  to 
the  Americans,  yet  thereby  Gen.  Arnold,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  fame  of  a  brave  foldier,  acquired  that  of 
an  able  naval  officer.* 

THE  bad  fuccefs  of  the  Americans  in  the  North 
was  in  feme  mcafure  compenfated  by  the  advantage 
they  had  gained  in  another  quarter.  At  this  pe- 
riod, a  fquadron  of  mips,  Commanded  by  Sir  Peter 

*   Ram/ay,  VgL  I.  p.  277,  278, 


NEW-EN  GLAND.  337 

Parker,  and  a  body  of  troops  under  Gen,  Clinton,  1776, 
refolved  to  attempt  the  redu&ion  of  Charlefton.  V*^J 
They  had    2800  land  forces,  which  they   hoped, 
with  the  co-operation  of  their  ihipping,  would   be 
fully  fufficient.* 

FOR  fome  months  pad  every  exertion  had  been 
made  to  put  the  colony  of  South-Carolina,  and 
efpecially  its  capital,  Charlefton,  in  a  refpectable 
pofture  of  defence.  In  iubferviency  to  this  view, 
works 'had  been  erected  on  Sullivan's  ifland,  which 
is  fituated  fo  near  the  channel  leading  up  to  the  • 
town,  as  to  be  a  convenient  poll  for  annoying  vef- 
fels  upon  their  approaching. f 

SIR  Peter  Parker  attacked  the  fort  on  that  iiland,Julv28. 
with  a  large  naval  force.  The  adtion  commenced 
between  ten  and  eleven  before  noon,  and  was  con- 
tinued for  upwards*  of  ten  hours.  The  garrifon, 
confiding  of  375  regulars,  and  a  few  militia,  under 
the  command  of  colonel  Moultrie,  made  a  moil 
gallant  defence.  They  fired  deliberately,  for  the 
moll  part  took  aim,  and  feldorn  miffed  their  ob- 
ject. The  (hips  were  torn  almoft  to  pieces,  and  the 
killed  and  wounded  on  board  exceeded  200  men. 
The  lofs  of  the  garrifon  was  only  10  men  killed, 
and  22  wounded.  During  this  defperate  engage- 
ment, it  was  found  impoilibte  for  the  Britifh  land 
forces  to  give  the  lead  aflidance  to  the  fleet.  The 
American  works  were  found  to  be  much  flronger, 
than  they  had  imagined,  and  the  depth  of  water 
effectually  prevented  them  from  making  any  at- 
tempt. Before  morning,  the  {hips  had  retired 

*   fum/ar,  Vol.  I.  p.  288.      f 

T  t 


338  H  I  S  T  O  K  Y    Q  I* 

1776,  about  two  miles  diftant  from  the  ifland,  and  in  a 
few  days  more,  the  troops  reimbarked,  and  the 
whole  failed  for  New-York.* 

THE  Americans,  on  this  occafion,  juftly  boafted 
of  their  heroes.  A  ferjeant,  obferving  the  flag- 
flaff  mot  away  ia  the  beginning  of  the  a&icn, 
jumped  from  one  of  the  embrafures  upon  the 
beach,  took  up  the  flag,  and  fixing  it  upon  a  fponge 
ftaff,  put  it  in  its  proper  place,  in-  the  mid  ft  of  the 
dreadful  fire  already  mentioned.  For  this  diftin- 
guiftied  aft  of  bravery,  h«  was  prefented  with  a 
fvvord  by  congrefs. 

ANOTHER,  whilft  exerting  himfelf  in  a  very  dif- 
tinguifhed  manner,  was  cruelly  mattered  by  a  can- 
non ball  ;  wlren  about  to  expire,  "  my  friends,1' 
faid  he,  "  I  am  dying,  but  do  not  let  the  caufe  of 
liberty  expire  with  me."t 

THE  thanks  of  congrefs  were  given  to  Gen. 
Lee,  who  had  been  fent  to  take  the  command  in 
Carolina,  and  alfo  to  colonels  Moultrie  and  Thomp- 
fon,  for  their  good  conduct  in  this  memorable  ac- 
tion. In-  compliment  to  the  commanding  officer, 
the  fort  from  that  time  was  called  fort  Moultrie. 

BY  the  repuife  of  this  armament,  the  fouthern 
flates  obtained  a  refpite  of  the  calamities  of  war  for 
two  years  and  an  half. 

WHILST  the  colonifls  exhibited  the  mod  deter- 
mined retaliation  in  defending  their  liberties,  the 
Britifh  miniftry  purfucd  with  energy  their  fixed 
defign  of  fubduing  them  by  force  of  arms.  In  the 
ftilion  of  parliament  in  1775,  it  was  voted  to  cm- 
t  VcL  I,  j>.  ?SS.  -f  Gordory  V«l.  11.  p,  2^6, 


NE  W-ENGL  AND.  339 

ploy  28,000  feamen,  and  55,000  land  forces,  for  1775. 
the  vigorous   profecurion   of  the  American    war. 
A  bill  was  foon  after  brought  into  parliament,  in- 
terdicting all  trade  and  intercourfe  with  the  thir- 
teen  united  colonies.     By  it  all  property  of  Ame- 
ricans, whether  of  mips  or  goods,  on  the  high  feas, 
or  in  harbor,  was    declared  "  to  be   forfeited  to 
the  captors,  being  the  officers  and  crews   of  his 
majefty's  mips  of  war."     It  further  enacled,  "  that 
the  matters,  crews,   and  other  perfons   found  on 
board  captured  American  veifels,  mould  be  enter- 
ed on  board  his  majefty's  veflels  of  war,  and  there 
confidered  to  be  in  his  majefty's  fervice,  to  all  in- 
tents and  purpofes,  as  if  they  had  entered  of  their 
own  accord."     This  bill  alfo  authorized  the  crown 
to  appoint  commiflioners,  who,  over  and  above 
granting  pardon  to  individuals,  were  empowered  to 
"  enquire  into   general  and  particular  grievances, 
and  to  determine  whether  any  colony  or  part  of  a 
colony  was  returned  to  that  ftate  of  obedience, 
which  might  entitle  it   to  be  received  within  the 
king's  peace  and  protection."     In  that  cafe,  upon 
a  declaration  from    the  commiflioners,  "  the   re- 
ftricrions  of  the  propofed  law  were  to  ceafe."1 

IN  the  progrefs  of  the  debates  on  this  bill, 
Lord  Mansfield  declared  "  that  the  queflions  of 
original  right  and  wrongs  were  no  longer  to  be 
confidered — that  they  were  engaged  in  a  war,  and 
muft  ufe  their  utmoft  efforts  to  obtain  the  ends 
propofed  by  it — that  they  muft  either  %ht  or  bq 

*  Rftmfay,   Vol.  1.  />.    283, 


^43  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1775.  purlued,  and  that   the  juftice  of  their  caufe  muft 

v-*~rN>  give  way  to  their  prefent  fituation." 

THE  declaration  of  this  illuftrious  oracle  of 
law,  whofe  great  abilities  were  known  and  admired 
in  America,  excited  the  aftonifhment,  and  cement- 
ed the  union  of  the  colonifts.  "  Great-Britain," 
faid  they,  "has  commenced  war  againft  us,  for 
maintaining  our  confiitutional  liberties,  and  her 
lawgivers  now  declare,  they  muft  proceed  with- 
out any  retrofpecl  to  the  merits  of  the  original 
ground  of  difpute.  Our  peace  and  happinefs  muft 
be  facrificed  to  Britifh  honor  and  confiflency,  in 
their  continuing  to  profecute  an  unjuft  invafion  of 
our  rights/'  A  number  of  lords,  as  ufual,  entered 
a  fpirited  proteft  againft  the  bill ;  but  it  was  carried 
by  a  great  majority  in  both  houfes  of  parliament, 
and  foon  after  received  the  royal  2 flout.* 

2776".  THE  Britifh  parliament  proceeded  yet  further, 
and  concluded  treaties  with  the  landgrave  of  Hefle 
Caflel,  the  duke  of  Brunfwick,  and  the  hereditary 
prince  of  Hefle  Caflel,  for  hiring  their  troops  to  the 
king  of  Great-Britain,  to  be  employed  in  order  t$ 
effect  the  fubjugation  of  the  American  colonies* 

*  Ramfay,  VoL  I.  p.  284,  285. 


XX 

XX 


NE  WrENGLANJ).  34; 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

The  American  Independence  declared.  Formation  of 
the  Jl  ate  conftitutions.  The  inhabitants  of  Vermont 
declare  their  territory  to  be  a  free  and  indefend* 
ent  ft  ate. 


T. 


HE  Americans  were  irritated  to  the 
tigheft  degree,  by  the  late  acts  of  parliament, 
which  placed  them  out  of  the  royal  protection, 
and  engaged  16,000  foreign  mercenaries  to  affift 
in  effecting  their  conqueft.  They  afferted  that 
protection  and  allegiance  were  reciprocal,  and  that 
the  refufai  of  the  firft  was  a  legal  ground  of  jufti- 
fication  for  'withholding  the  lad.  They  reafoned, 
that  if  Great-Britain  called  in  the  aid  of  ftrangers 
to  crufli  them,  they  muft  feek  a  fimilar  relief  for 
their  own  prefervation  ;  and  reflected,  that,  while 
they  continued  to  Acknowledge  themfelves  fubjects 
to  the  Biitifh  empire,  they  were  regarded  as  rebels, 
and  this  might  preclude  them  frojrn  forming  al- 
liances with  foreign  dates.  *• 

THE  motion  for  declaring  the  colonies  free  and  177<5« 
independent,  was  firft  made  in  congrefs,  by 
Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  Virginia.  He  was  war- 
ranted in  making  this  motion,  by  the  particular 
inflruflions  of  his  immediate  conRituents,  and  alfo 
by  the  general  voice  of  the  people  of  all  the  colo* 


342  HISTORY    OF 

1776.  nies.  When  the  time  for  taking  the  fubjed:  under 
Vxvx<;  confideration  arrived,  much  knowledge,  ingenuity 
and  eloquence  were  difplayed  on  both  fides  of  the 
queftion.  The  debates  were  continued  for  fome 
time,  and  with  great  animation.  In  thefe,  John 
Adams,  the  prefent  prefident  of  the  United  States, 
and  John  Dickinfon,  took  leading  and  oppofite 
parts.  The  former  began  one  of  his  fpeecht?s,  by 
invoking  all  the  powers  of  eloquence,  to  ailifl 
him  in  defending  the  claims,  and  in  enforcing  the 
duty  of  his  countrymen.  He  flrongly  urged  the 
immediate  difTolution  of  all  political  connexion  of 
the  colonies  with  Great-Britain,  from  the  voice  of 
the  people,  from  the  necefTity  of  the  meafure,  in 
order  to  obtain  aiTiftance,  from  a  regard  to  confift- 
ency,  and  from  a  profpecl  of  glory  and  happinefs 
which  opened  beyond  the  war,  to  a  free  and  inde- 
pendent people.* 

AFTER,  a  full  difcuflion,  the  meafure  of  declar- 
ing the  colonies  free  and  independent,  was  approv- 
ed by  nearly  an  unanimous  vote.  And  the  4th  of 
July  announced  to  the  world,  the  erection  of  this 
new  empire.  This  great  event  took  place  two 
hundred  and  eighty-four  years  after  the  difcovery 
of  America  by  Columbus— -one  hundred  and  fixty- 
fix  from  the  firft  effectual  fettlement  in  Vir- 
ginia— and  one  hundred  and  fifty-fix  from  the 
firft  fetrlement  of  Plymouth,  in  MaiTachufetts, 
which  were  the  earlieil  Englifli  fet  dements  in 
America.! 

*  Ram/ay  t    Vol.   I,   p.    340,    341.        f   Merffs    G*ograply% 
Vol.  1.  p.   309. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  343 

THE  aft  of  the  united  colonies,  for   feparating  1776, 
themfelves  from  the  government  of  Great-Britain, 
and  declaring  their  independence,  was   expreffed 
in  the  following  words  : 

"  WHEN,  in  the  courfe  of  human  events,  it  be- 
comes necefiary  for  one  people  to  diflblve  the  politi- 
cal bands,  which  have  connected  them  with  another, 
and  to  afluine,  among  the  powers  of  the  earth,  the 
feparate  and  equal  flation,  to  which  the  laws  of  na- 
ture and  of  nature's  God  entitle  them,  a  decent 
refpeft  to  the  opinions  of  mankind  requires,  that 
they  fhould  declare  the  caufes  which  impel  them  to 
the  Separation. 

"  WE  hold  thefe  truths  to  be  felf  evident,  that 
all  men  are  created  equal ;  that  they  are  endowed 
by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable  rights  j 
that  among  thefe  are  life,  liberty  >  and  the  purfuit 
of  happinefs ;  that  to  fecure  thefe  rights,  govern- 
ments are  inflituted  among  men,  deriving  their  jull 
powers  from  the  confenc  of  the  governed ;  that 
whenever  any  form  of  government  becomes  de- 
ftrucHve  of  thefe  ends,  it  is  the  right  of  the  people 
to  alter,  or  to  abolilh  it,  and  to  inftitute  a  new 
government,  laying  its  foundation  on  fuch  princi- 
ples, and  organizing  its  power  in  fuch  form,  as  to 
them  (hall  feem  moil  likely  to  effect  their  iafety  and 
happinefs. 

"  PRUDENCE,  indeed,  will  dictate,  that  govern- 
ments long  cflabliihed  fhould  not  be  changed  for 
light  and  tranfierit  caufes ;  and  accordingly  all  ex- 
perience hath  fhewn,  that  mankind  are  more  dif- 
pofed  to  fuffer,  while  evils  are  fulFerable,  than  to 


344  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   O  F 

1776.  right  th'emfelves  by  abolishing  the  forms,  to  winch 
they  are  accuftomed.  But  when  a  long  train  of 
abufes  and  ufurpationsj  purfuing  invariably  the 
fame  object,  evinces  a  defigrt  to  reduce  them  under 
abiblute  defpotifm,  it  is  their  right,  it  is  their  duty 
to  throw  off  fcch  government,  and  to  provide  new 
guards  for  their  future  fecurity.  Such  has  been 
the  patient  fufferance  of  thefe  colonies,  and  fuch  is 
now  the  necem*ty,<  which  conlirains  them  to  alter 
their  former  fyftems  of  government.  The  hiflory 
of  the  prefent  king  of  Great-Britain  is  a  hiftory 
of  repeated  injuries  and  ufurpations,  all  having  i? 
direct  object  the  eilablimment  of  an  abfolute  tyra. 
fly  over  thefe  ilates.  To  prove  this,  let  facts  be 
fubmitted  to  a  candid  world. 

"  HE  has  refufed  his  afTent  to  laws,  the  moil 
wholefome  and  neceflary  for  the  public  good, 

"  HE  has  forbidden  his  go-vernors  to  pafs  laws 
of  immediate  and  preiTmg  importance,  unlefs  fuf- 
pended  in  their  operation  till  his  affent  mould  be 
obtained  ;  and  when  fo  fufpended,  he  has  utterly 
neglected  to  attend  to  them. 

"  HE  has  refufed  to  pafs  other  laws  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  large  difhicls  of  people,  unlefs 
thofe  people  would  relinquifli  the  right  of  repie- 
fentation  in  the  legiflature,  a  right  ineRimabLe  to 
them,  and  formidable  to  tyrants  only. 

"  HE  has  called  together  legiilative  bodies  at 
places  unufual,  uncomfortable,  and  aidant  from 
the  depofitory  of  their  public  records,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  fatiguing  them  into  compliance  with  his 
meafures. 


NEW -ENGLAND.  « -345 

"  HE  has  diffolved  reprefentative  houfes  repeat-  1776. 
edly,  for  oppofing,  with  manly  firmnefs^   his  inva- 
fions  on  the  rights  of  the  people. 

.  "  HE  has  refufed,  for  a  long  time  after  fuch  dif* 
folutions,  to  caufe  others  to  be  elected  ;  whereby 
the  legiilative  powers,  incapable  of  annihilation, 
have  returned  to  the  people  at  large  for  their  exer- 
cife  ;  the  (late  remaining  in  the  mean  timeexpofed 
to  all  the  danger  of  invafions  from  without,  and 
convulfions  within. 

"  HE  has  endeavoured  to  prevent  the  population 
of  thefe  dates;  for  that  purpofe  obftru&ing  the 
laws  for  naturalization ;  refuling  to  pafs  others  to 
encourage  their  migration  hither,  and  raifmg  the 
condirions  of  new  appropriations  of  land. 

"  HE  -has  obftruded  the  adminiitration  of  juf- 
tice,  by  refufmg  his  aflent  to  laws  for  eflablifhing 
judiciary  powers. 

"  HE  has  made  judges  dependent  on  his  will 
alone,  for  the  tenure  of  their  offices,  and  the 
amount  and  payment  of  their  falaries. 

"  HE  has  erected  a  multitude  of  new  offices,  and 
fent  hither  fwarms  of  officers,  to  harafs  our  peo- 
ple, and  eat  out  their  fubftance. 

*'  HE  has  kept  among  us,  in  times  of  peace,  (land- 
ing armies,  without  the  confent  of  our  legiflatures. 

"  He  has  affected  to  render  the  military  inde- 
pendent of,  and  fuperior  to,  the  civil  power. 

"  HE  has  combined  with  others  to  fubjecl  us  to 
jurifdidion  foreign  to  our  conftitution,  and  unac- 
knowledged by  our  laws ;  giving  his  aflfent  to 

their  acls  of  pretended  legillation. : 

U  a 


II I  S  T  O  K  Y    O  F 

1776.      "  FOR  quartering  large  bodies  of  armed  troops 
mong  us : 

FOR  protecling  them,  by  a  mock  trial,  from 
punifhrnen-t  from  any  murders  -which  they  mould 
commit  on  the  inhabitants  of  thefe  ftates  : 

"  FOR  cu-ttmg  oiF  our  trade  with  ail  parts  of  the 
world  : 

"  FOR  impoim'g  taxes  on  us  without  our  confent: 

"  FOR  depriving  us,  in  many  cafes,  of  the  benefits 
of  trial  by  jury  : 

"  FOR  tranfpo-rting  us  beyond  feas  to  be  tried 
for  pretended  offences  : 

"  FOR  abolifliing  the  free  fyftem  of  Englifh  laws 
in  a  neighboring  province,  eftablifhing  therein  an 
arbitrary  government,  and  enlarging  its  boundaries, 
fo  as  to  render  it  at  once  an  example  and  fit  inftru- 
inent  for  introducing  the  fame  abfolute  rule  into 
thefe  colonies  : 

"  FOR  taking  away  our  charters,  abolifliing  our 
moil  valuable  laws,  and  altering  fundamentally 
the  form  of  our  governments  : 

"•  FOR  fufpending  our  legiflatures,  and  declaring 
rhemfeives  invented  with  power  to  legiflate  for  us 
in  all  cafes  whatfoever. 

"  HE  has  abdicated  government  here,  by  declar- 
ing us  out  of  his  protection,  and  waging  war 
againft  us. 

"  HE  has  plundered  our  feas,  ravaged  our  coafts, 
burnt  our  towns,  and  deftroyed  the  lives  of  our 
people. 

"  HE  is,  at  this  time,  tranfporting  large  armies 
of  foreign  mercenaries,  to  complete  the  works  of 


N  E  W  -  E  N  p  L  A  M  I).  347 

death,  defolation  and  tyranny,  already  begun  with  1776. 
circumftances  of  cruelty  and  perfidy,  fcarcely  par- 
ralleled  in  the  mod  barbarous  ages,   and  totally 
unworthy  the  head  of  a  civilized  nation. 

"  HE  has  conflrained  our  fellow  citizens,  taken 
captive  on  the  high  feas,  to  bear  arms  againd 
their  country,  to  become  the  executioners  of  their 
friends  and  brethren,  or  to  fail  thernfelves  by  their 
hands, 

"  HE  has  excited  domeftic  infurre&ions  amongft 
us,  and  has  endeavoured  to  bring  on  the  inhabit- 
ants of  our  frontiers,  the  mercilefs  Indian  favages, 
whole  known  rule  of  warfare  is  an  undiftinguifhed 
dedruction  of  all  ages,  fexes  and  conditions. 

"  IN  every  flage  of  thefe  opprefTions,  we  have 
petitioned  for  redrefs  in  the  mod  humble  terms  : 
our  repeated  petitions  have  been  anfwered  only 
by  repeated  injuries.  A  prince,  whofe  character 
is  thus  marked  by  every  acl  which  may  define  a 
tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  the  ruler  of  a  free  people. 

Ci  NOR  have  we  been  wanting  in  attention  to 
our  Britifh  brethren.  We  have  warned  them  from 
time  to  time  of  attempts  made  by  their  legiflature, 
to  extend  an  unwarrantable  jurifdiclion  over  us. 
We  have  reminded  them  of  the  circumftances  of 
our  emigration  and  fettlement  here.  We  have  ap- 
pealed to  their  native  juftice  and  magnanimity,  and 
we  have  conjured  them,  by  the  ties  of  our  com- 
mon kindred,  to  difavow  thefe  ufurpations,  which 
would  inevitably  interrupt  our  connexions  and  cor* 
refpondence.  They  too  have  been  deaf  to  the, 
voice  of  juftice  and  coiiianguinity*  We  mud  there* 


HISTORY    O  F 

1776.  fore  acquiefce  in  the  neceffity,  which  denounces 
our  reparation,  and  hold  them,  as  we  hold  the 
reft  of  mankind,  enemies  in  war,  in  peace  friends. 
cc  WE,  therefore,  the  reprefentatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  general  congrefs  af- 
fembled,  appealing  to  the  Supreme  Judge  of  the 
world  for  the  rectitude  of  our  intentions,  do,  in 
the  name,  and  by  authority  of  the  good  people 
in  thefe  colonies,  folemnly  publifh  and  declare, 
that  thefe  united  colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT  STATES  ; 
that  they  are  abfolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the 
Britifh  crown  ;  and  that  all  political  connexion  be- 
tween them  and  the  date  of  Great-Britain  is  and 
ought  to  be  totally  diflblved  ;  and  that,  as  free 
and  independent  dates,  they  have  full  power  to 
levy  war,  conclude  peace,  contraft  alliances,  ef- 
tablifh  commerce,  and  to  do  all  other  ads  and 
things  which  independent  dates  may  of  right  do. 
And  for  the  fupport  of  this  declaration,  with  a 
firm  reliance  on  the  prote&ion  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, we  mutually  pledge  to  each  other  our 
lives,  our  fortunes,  and  our  facred  honor/3* 

THE  above  declaration  was  figned  by  the  rep- 
refentatives of  the  United  States. 

THE  declaration  of  independence  was  read  pub- 
licly in  all  the  dates,  and  met  with  a  welcome  re- 
ception. It  was  alfo  publicly  read  to  the  Ameri- 
can army,  and  received  by  them  with  unfeigned 
acclamations  of  joy.  Though  it  was  well  known 
that  Great-Britain  had  employed  a  force  of  s^ 

*  Ram/ay y  I'vL  I.  p.  74.1  —  345, 


NEW-ENGLAND.  349 

men,  to  war  updn  the  new-formed  dates,  and  that  1776, 
the  continental  army  was  not  near  equal  to  half 
that  number,  and  only  engaged  for  a  few  months, 
and  that  congrefs  was  without  any  afTurance  of 
foreign  aid,  yet  both  the  American  officers  and 
privates  gave  every  evidence  of  their  hearty  ap- 
probation of  the  decree,  which  fevered  the  colo- 
nies from  Great-Britain,  and  fubmitted  to  the  de- 
cifion  of  the  fword,  whether  they  mould  be  free 
dates,  or  conquered  provinces.* 

THE  declaration  of  independence  was  perfectly 
agreeable  to  the  republicah  habits  and  fentiments 
of  the  New-England  dates.  A  Britifh  author 
obferves,  that  "  of  all  the  American  colonies, 
New-England,  from  its  independent  fpirit  in  reli- 
gion, had  probably  longed  cherifhed  the  wim,  and. 
even  entertained  hopes  of  becoming  independent 
in  government."! 

PREVIOUSLY  to  the  declaration  of  independ- 
ence, congrefs  had  recommended  to  the  refpedive 
aflemblies  and  conventions  of  the  United  States, 
to  adopt  fuch  governments  as  mould,  in  their 
opinion-,  bed  conduce  to  the  happinefs  and  fafety 
of  their  condiments.  Accordingly  new  inditu- 
tions  of  government  began  to  take  place  this  year 
in  the  different  dates.  Though  the  kingly  office 
was  abolifhed,  yet,  in  mod  of  the  fubordinate  de- 
partments of  government,  ancient  forms  and  names 
were  retained.  Each  date  appointed  a  fupreme 
executive  head,  with  the  title  of  governor  or  pre- 
fident.  They  agreed,  likewife,  in  deriving  the 
jv,  FeL  L  />.  291.  f 


350  HISTORY    O  F 

/ 

1776.  whole  powers  of  government,  either  mediately  or 

immediately,  from  the  people.* 

As  a  farther  fecurity  for  the  continuance  of  re- 
publican principles,  in  the  American  conftitutions, 
they  united  in  prohibiting  any  hereditary  honors 
and  diftindion  of  ranks.  All  religious  eftablifh- 
ments  were  alfo  abolifhed. 

THE  rejeclion  of  Britifh  fovereignty  not  only 
involved  a  necefiity  of  erecting  independent  con- 
ftitutions,  but  of  cementing  the  whole  United 
States  by  fome  common  bond  of  union.  The  act 
of  independence  did  n<3t  hold  out  to  the  world 
thirteen  fovereign  ftates,  but  a  common  fove- 
reignty of  the  whole,  in  their  united  capacity.  It 
therefore  became  neceilary  to  run  the  line  of  dif- 
tin&iori,  between  the  local  legiflatures,  and  the 
aflembly  of  the  ftates  in  congrefs.  A  committee 
was  appointed  for  digeftirfg  articles  of  confedera- 
tion between  the  ftates,  or  united  colonies,  as  they 
were  then  called.  Whiift  the  propriety  of  declar- 
ing independence  was  under  debate,  and  feme 
weeks  previouily  to  the  adoption  of  that  meafure, 
a  committee  met  as  above  ;  but  the  plan  was  not 
for  fixteen  months  after  fo  far  digefted,  as  to  be 
ready  for  communication  to  the  ftates.  Nor  was 
it  finally  ratified,  by  the  acceifion  of  all  the  ftates, 
till  nearly  three  years  more  had  elapfed.f 

THE  declaration  of  independence,  which  was 
made  by  the  united  colonies,  left  the  people  on 
the  New-Hampfnire  grants  in  a  fituation  more  un- 
certain and  critical  than  they  were  previoufly  to 
*  R.*:ifay9  YoL  I.  p.  35°  — 353-  1  #'">  />•  357* 


N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  351 

this  event.     Senfible  of  the  difficulties  they  had  to 
encounter,    the  inhabitants   of  thefe  grants  were 
induced  to  take  a  decifive  ftep.    In  January,  1777, 
a  general  convention  of  reprefentatives,  from   the 
towns  on  both  fides  the  mountains,  met  at  Weft- 
minfter.     Being  perfectly  acquainted  with  the  fen- 
timents  of  their  condiments,  after  a  ferious  debate 
and   confutation,  they   publicly  proclaimed,  that 
the  didrict   of  territory,  ufually  known   by   the 
name   of  the  New-Hampmire   grants,  "  of  right 
ought  to  be,  and  is  hereby  declared,  forever  here- 
after to  be  confidered  as  a  free   and  independent 
jurifdidion,  or  Hate,  to  be  forever  hereafter  cal- 
led, known  and  didinguifhed,    by   the  name  of 
New-Connecticut,,  alias  Vermont."     And  that  the 
inhabitants  mall  be  entitled  to  the  fame  privileges, 
as  mail  be  allowed  to  the  inhabitants  of  any  of 
the  free  and  independent  Hates  of  America.     And 
that  fuch  privileges  and  immunities  mall  be  regu- 
lated by  a  bill  of  tights,  and  by  a  form  of  gov- 
ernment, to  be  edablimed  at  the  next  feffion  of 
the  convention.* 

THUS  was  freedom  and  independence  edablifh- 
ed,  by  the  general  voice  of  the  people  in  the 
American  dates.  A  Britifh  author  has  obferved, 
"  that,  as  the  difcovery  of  the  American  conti- 
nent was  one  of  the  mod  important  difcoveries 
in  natural  ;  fo  the  emancipation  of  North- Ameri- 
ca from  the  authority  of  Great-Britain,  with  the 
effects  which  the  event  mud  produce  on  the  weft- 
ern  world,  is  one  of  the  greated  in  civil  hiflory."t 
*  William?  HijJory  tfYtrmvte,}  232.  \  Andrew. 


H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 


CHAP  T  E  11     XXIX. 

Battle  at  Long-IJJand.  The  Americans  retreat  to 
New-Tork.  Capt.  Hale  fent  for  a  fpy  to  Long- 
Jfland,  and  is  executed  by  the  Britifn.  The  royal 
commiffiomrs  hold  a  conference  with  a  committee 
of  congrefs.  New-Tork  abandoned.  Battle  a!  the 
White  Plains.  The  Britijh  overrun  the  Jerfies. 
The  defperatejituation  of  American  affairs.  Rhode' 
I/land  taken,  arid  commodore  Hopkins9  fquadrcn 
blocked  up.  General  Lee  taken  prifcner,  and 
clofely  confined.  Proceedings  of  the  American  con- 
grefs. General  Washington  gives  a  neiv  turn  to 
the  affairs  of  'America,  by  fitrprizing  and  defeating 
the  Britijh  in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton. 

TP 

j{_  HE  Americans  were  fenfible  that  the 
moft  vigorous  exertions  were  neceffary  to  maintain 
that  independence  which  they  had  boldly  proclaim- 
ed. Though  that  meafure  detached  fome  timid 
friends  from  fupporting  them  in  their  oppofition 
to  Great-Britain,  it  increafed  the  vigor  and  union 
ofthofe  whopoflefled  more  fortitude  and  perfever- 
ance.* 

As  it  had  early  occurred  to  Gen.  Waihington^ 
that  the  poffeffion  of  New-York  would  be  to  the 
Britifh  a  favorite  object ;  great  pains  were  taken  to 
fortify  that  city,  and  the  adjacent  iflands.  The 

*  Ramfay,  Vol.  l.p.  349. 


NE  W-ENG  LAND.  353 

greateft  part  of  the  American  army  was  ordered  1776. 
thither ;  and  Gen.  Wafhington  himfelf  fixed  his 
head  quarters  in  that  city.* 

THE  force,  deflined  to  operate  againft  New- 
York,  was  far  fuperior  to  any,  which  had  ever  be- 
fore  appeared  in  America.  It  confifted  of  thirty 
thoufand  excellent  troops,  among  whom  were 
great  numbers  of  experienced  veterans.  They 
were  amply  provided  with  artillery,  military  (lores, 
and  warlike  materials  of  every  kind,  and  were 
fupported  by  a  numerous  fleet.  The  fleet  was 
commanded  by  Lord  Howe,  and  the  land  forces  by 
his  brother,  Gen.  Howe  ;  men  of  approved  valor 
and  experience  in  the  art  of  war.  The  admiral 
and  general,  in  addition  to  their  military  powers, 
were  appointed  cornmiiiioners  for  reiloring  peace 
to  the  colonies.! 

ON  the  2d  of  July,  Gen.  Howe  landed  his  troops 
on  Staten-Ifland,  where  he  was  foon  joined  by 
Lord  Howe,  with  the  grand  armament.  Thence 
his  lordfhip  fent  on  more  by  a  flag  to  Amboy  a 
circular  letter,  together  with  a  declaration -to  fe- 
veral  of  the  late  governors. of  the  colonies,  ac- 
quainting them  with  the  powers  with  which  he 
and  his  brother  were  intruded,  "  of  granting  gen- 
eral or  particular  pardons  to  all  thofe,  who, 
though  they  had  deviated  from  their  allegiance, 
were  willing  to  return  to  their  duty  ;"  and  of  de- 
claring "  any  colony,  province,  county  or  town, 
port,  diftrict  or  place,  to  be  at  the  peace  of  his 

*  Ramfay,  Pol.  I.  f.  292.     f  Gordon,  Vol.  11,  />.  304. 
W  w 


H  t  $  T  O  U  Y    O  P 

1776.  rnajefty."  The  late  governors  were  requeued  to 
publifli  this  declaration.  Congrefs,  iinprefied  with 
a  belief,  that  the  propofnh  of  the  commiffioners, 
mftead  of  difunkiHg  the  people,  would  produce  a 
contrary  efiecl:,  ordered  them  to  be  fpeedilv  pub- 
lifhed,  in  the  fever  i\\  American  newfpapers.* 

LORD  Howe  and  his  brother  alib  fent  two  let- 
ters  to  General  Wafhmgton  on  the  f abject,  which 
he  refufed  to  accept,  becaufe  tliey  were  not  di- 
recled  in  a  ftyle  i'lritabfe  to  the  dignity  of  his  fta- 
t-ion.  Upon  receiving  the  iirrl:  ktSer,  he  wrote  to 
congrefs  on  the  fubjecl;  as  follows  :  "  I  would  not 
on  any  occafion  iacrifiee  eiTentiais  to-pivn^ilio  ;  but 
in  this  iniia-nce,  I  deemed  it  a  duty  to  my  country 
and  appointment  t-o  infift  on  that  refpecl,,- which,  in 
any  other  than  a  public  view,  I  would  willingly 
have  waved/'  Adjutant-general  Paterfon,  who 
was  the  bearer  of  the  laft  letter,  had  an  interview 
with  Gen,  Wa-{hmgtor>,  a«d  obferved  t&  him,  that 
"  the  commiffioners  were  armed  wilh  great 
power?,  and  would  be  very  happy  in  effecting  an 
accommodation."  They  received  for  anfvtfer, 
"  that  from  what  appeared,  their  powers  were  on- 
ly to  grant  pardon  ;  that  tfcey,  who  had  committed 
no  fault,  wanted  no--  pardon. >Jf  Soon  after  this  in- 
terview, a  letter  from  Lord  Howe,  refpecling  prif- 
oners,  which  was  properly  addrell^d.to  Genera! 
Wamington,  was  received. | 

THE  whole  continental  army,  in  and  near  New- 
York,  at  this  critical-  period,   amounted  only   to 

*  Ramfay.   VoL    I.  p.    296.        f  4lr(^.i^ons    Letters,  Vol. 
!-  p.  185.        J  Ram/ay,  J'si  I  ^. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  355 

17,225  men.  Thefe  were  chiefly  new  troops,  and  1776. 
were  much  fcattered,  fome  being  iifteen  miles  apart,  ^^ 
THS  decifion  of  the  controverfy  was  now,  by  A«g  27. 
confent  of  both  parties,  left  to  the  fword.  The 
Britifh  army  refolved  to  make  their  firft  attempt  on 
Long-lfiand ;  and  landed  without  oppofition  be- 
tween two  fmall  towns,  Utrecht  and  Gravefend.. 
The  night  before  the  battle  commenced,  Gen. 
Clinton  found  means  to  i'ecure  a  pafs  of  great  im- 
portance, which  lay  at  a  diftance,  and  was  not 
fufficieatly  guarded  by  the  Americans,  This  gave 
an  opportunity  to  a  large  body  of  troops,  under 
Lord  Percy  and  Gen.  Clinton,  to  attack  the 
Americans  in  the  rear,  while  they  were  engaged 
with  the  HefTuns  in  front.  An  aclion  commenced 
foon  after  day-break,  in  which  the  Americans  were 
furrounded  on  all  (ides,  and  entirely  defeated. 
Thofe,  who  were  engaged  with  the  lieflians,  fir  ft 
began  a  retreat  towards  their  camp ;  but  the 
paffage  was  intercepted  by  the  Britifh  troops,  who 
drove  them  back  into  the  woods.  Here  they  were 
met  by  the  Heflians ;  and  thus  for  many  hours 
ilaughtered  between  the  two  parties.  The  only 
way  to  efcape  was  by  breaking  through  the  Britifh 
troops,  and  thus  regaining  their  camp.  This  was 
effected  by  fome  of  the  regiments.* 

THE  Americans  under  Lord  Stilling,  who  were- 
engaged  with  Gen.  Grant?  fought  with  great  refo- 
lution  for  about  fix  hours.  They  were  fo  late  in 
their  knowledge  of  Gen,  Clinton's  movements, 
that  their  retreat  was  intercepted  by  fome  of  the 
nl<  II.  p  396 — 309, 


3f6  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1776.  Britiih  troops,  who  had  traverfed  the  whole  extent 
^•^  of  country  in  th-Ar  renr.  Several,  notwithltamling, 
broke  through  the  enemy's  line,  and  got  into  the 
wooJs.  Numbers  threw  themfelves  into  the 
marfli  at  Gor van's  cove  ;  fome  were  drowned,  and 
others  perifhed  in  the  mud ;  but  a  confiderable 
body  efcaped  by  this  way  to  their  lines.* 

THE  lofs  of  the  Britiih  and  Heffians  was  about 
450.  The  killed,  wounded  and  prifoners  of  the 
Americans,  including  thofe,  who  were  drowned  and 
perimed  in  the  woods  or  mud,  confiderably  ex- 
'  ceeded  i  ooo.  Gen.  Sullivan,  Lord  Stirling,  and 
a  number  of  other  officers,  were  among  the  prifon- 
ers. A  regiment,  confiding  of  young  gentlemen  of 
fortune  and  family  in  Maryland,  was  almoft  en- 
tirely cut  in  pieces,  and  of  the  furvivers  not  one  ef- 
caped without  a  wound.  The  Britilh  after  their 
victory  were  fo  impetuous,  that  it  was  with  diffi- 
culty that  they  could  be  retrained,  by  General 
Howe's  orders,  from  attacking  the  American  lines.f 
Awg-30  AFTER  this  unfortunate  engagement,  Gen.  Wafh- 
ington  called  a  council  of  war,  who  determined  up- 
on an  immediate  retreat  to  New- York.  The  in- 
tention was  prudently  concealed  from  the  ar- 
my, who  knew  not  whithar  they  were  going, 
but  imagined  it  was  to  attack  the  enemy.  The 
field  artillery,  tents,  baggage,  and  about  9000 
men,  were  conveyed  to  the  city  of  New-York, 
over  Eaft-river,  more  than  a  mile  wide,  in  lefs  than 
thirteen  hours,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
Britilh,  though  not  fix  hundred  yards  diftaiit. 

*   Gorfafi,  Vol.  II.  p.  310.      f   Ranjay,  Vol.  I.  p    307. 


N  E  W  -ENGLAND.  357 

Providence,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  favored  the  1776. 
retreating  army.  The  wind,  which  feemed  to  pre- 
vent  the  troops  getting  over  at  the  appointed  hour, 
afterwards  fhifted  to  their  wifhes.  Towards  morn- 
ing an  extreme  thick  fog  came  on,  which  hovered 
over  Long-lfland,  and,  by  concealing  the  Ameri- 
cans, enabled  them  to  complete  their  retreat  with- 
out interruption,  though  the  day  had  begun  to 
dawn  fome  time  before  it  was  fmifhed.  In  about 
half  an  hour  after  the  ifland  was  finally  abandoned, 
the  fog  cleared  off,  and  the  Britiih  were  feen 
taking  polfeilion  of  the  American  lines.* 

"  PERHAPS  the  fate  of  America  was  never  fuf- 
pended  on  a  more  brittle  thread,  than  previoufly 
to  this  memorable  retreat.  A  fpeclacle  is  here 
prefented  of  an  army,  deftined  for  the  defence  of 
a  great  continent,  driven  to  the  narrow  borders  of 
an  ifland,  with  a  victorious  army  of  double  its 
numbers  in  front,  with  navigable  waters  in  its 
rear ;  conftantly  liable  to  have  its  communication 
cut  off  by  the  enemy's  navy,  and  every  moment 
expofed  to  an  attack.  'The  prefence  of  mind, 
which  animated  the  commander  in  chief,  in  this 
critical  fituation  ;  the  prudence,  with  which  all  the 
neceflary  meafures  were  executed,  redounded  as 
much,  or  more  to  his  honor,  than  the  mod  bril- 
liant victories.  An  army,  to  which  America  look- 
ed for  fafety,  preferved  !  A  general,  who  was 
confidered  as  an  hoft  himfelf,-  faved  for  the  future 
neceflities  of  his  country.  Had  not,  howevera  the 
circumftances  of  the  night,  of  the  wind  and  wea- 

*  Gordon,  Fol.  11.  p.  314.      Ramfyyt  i'oL    L  />,  JO2. 


358  HISTORY    ()  F 

1/76.  rher,  been   favorable   to  this  operation,  the    plan, 

v-'v"Nj  however  well  concerted,  muft  have  been  defeated. 

To  a  good  Providence,  therefore,  are   the  people 

of  America  indebted  for   the   complete  fuccefs   of 

an  enterprize  fo  important  in  its  confequences. 

cc  THIS  retreat  left  the  Britifh  in  complete  pof- 
fdliori  of  Longrliland.  What  would  be  their  fu- 
ture operations,  remained  uncertain.  To  obtain 
information  of  their  fituation,  their  ftrength  and 
.future  movements,  was  of -high  importance.  For 
this  purpofe,  General  Washington  applied  to  col. 
Kuowlton,  who  commanded  a  regiment  of  light 
infantry,  which  formed  the  van  of  the  American 
army,  and  clefired  him  to  adopt  fome  mode  of 
gaining  the  neceiTary  information.  Col.  KnowU 
ton  communicated  this  requeil  to  captain  Nathan 
Hale,  of  Connecticut,  who  was  then  a  captain  in 
his  regiment. 

"  THIS  young  officer,  animated  by  a  ienfe  of  du- 
ty, and  confidering  that  an  opportunity  prefented  it- 
felf,  by  which  he  might  be  ufjful  to  his  country, 
at  once  offered  himfelf  a  volunteer  for  this  hazard- 
ous fervice.  He  palled  in  difguife  to  Long-liland, 
examined  every  part  of  the  Britifh  army,  and  ob- 
tained the  bed  poflible  information  refpeftir.g 
their  (ituation  and  future  operations. 

**  ]N\hib  attempt  to  return  he  was  apprehended, 

-led  before  Sir  William  Howe,  and  the  proof 
cf  his  object  was  ib  clear ,  that  he  frankly  acknow- 
iedgeduho  he  was,  and  what  v/ere  his  views. 

Ci  SIR  William  Howe  at  once  gave  an  order  to  the 
provoft  manliai  to  execute  him  the  acxt 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  359 

**  This  order  was  accordingly  executed,  in  a  1776, 
mod  unfeeling  manner,  and  by  as  great  a  iavage 
as  ever  difgraced  humanity*  A  clergyman,  whole 
attendance  ta  defrred,  was  refufed  him ;  a  bible 
for  a  few  moments  devotion  was  not  procured, 
although  he  requeued  it.  Letters^  which,  on  the 
morning  of  his  execution,  he  wrote  to  his  mother, 
and  other  friends,  were  destroyed  ;  and  this  very 
extraordinary  reafon  given  by  the  provoit  marfhul, 
"  that  the  rebels  ihouki  not  know  they  had  a  man 
in  their  army  who  could  die  with  fo  much  firmnefe.'* 

4C  UNKNOWN  to  ail  around  him,  without  a  fingla 
friend  to  offer  him  the  lead  consolation,  thus  fell 
as  amiable  and  as  worthy  a  young  man  as  America 
could  boaft,  with  this,  as  his  dying  obfervation, 
"  that  he  only  lamented,  that  he  had  but  one 
life  to  lofe  for  his  country." 

"ALTHOUGH  the  manner  of  this  execution  will 
ever  be  abhorred  by  every  friend  to  humanity  and 
religion,  yet  there  cannot  be  a  queftion  but  that 
the  fentence  was  conformable  to  the  rules  of  war, 
and  the  pradice  of  nations  in  iimilar  cafes. 

"  IT  is,  however,  a  juftice  due  to  the  character  of 
captain  Hale  to  obferve,  thai  his  motives  for  engag- 
ing in  this  fervice  were  entirely  different  from  thofe, 
which  generally  influence  others  in  fimilar  circuni- 
itances. 

"NEITHRR  expe&ation  of  promotion,  nor  pe- 
cuniary reward,  induced  him  to  this  attempt.  A 
icnie  of  duty,  a  hope  that  he  might  in  this  way  be 
uteful  to  his  country,  and  an  opinion,  which  he 


360  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1776.  had  adopted,  that  every  kind  of  iervice  neceffary 
to  the  public  good,  became  honorable,  by  being 
neceffary,  were  the  great  motives,  which  induc- 
ed him  to  engage  in  an  enterprize,  by  which  his 
connexions  loft  a  mod  amiable  friend,  and  his 
country  one  of  its  mod  promifmg  fupporters. 

"  THE  fate  of  this   unfortunate  young  man  ex- 
cites the  moil  interefting  reflections. 

"  To  fee  fuch  a  character,  in  the  flower  of 
yduth,  cheerfully  treading  in  the  moil  hazardous 
paths,  influenced  by  the  purefl  intentions,  and  only 
emulous  to  do  good  to  his  country,  without  the 
imputation  of  a  crime,  fall  a  victim  to  policy,  mult 
have  been  wounding  to  the  feelings,  even  of  hi? 
enemies* 

"  SHOULD  a  comparifon  be  drawn  between  major 
Andre  and  captain  Hale,  injuflice  would  be  done  to 
the  latter,  ihouid  he  not  be  placed  on  an  equal 
ground  with  the  former.  "Whilil  almoft  every 
Inftorian  of  the  Ameiican  revolution  has  celebrated 
the  virtues,  and  lamented  the  fate  of  Andre,  Hale 
has  remained  unnoticed,  and  it  is  fcarcely  known 
fuch  a  character  ever  exifted.* 

*  Dr.  Dwigkt,  hoivemer,  has  the  following  beautiful  linet  ffff 
ca/f.  Hale,   in  Lis  Conque/i  of 'Canaan ,  Book  1  p    3,  4. 

"   Thu?,  while  fond  virtue  v.ifhfd  in  vain  to  lave. 

Hale,   bright  and  generous,  found  a  lupMs  grave  ; 

With  genius'  living  flame  his  bofom  glou'd, 

And  fcier.ce  charm*d  h'm  :o  her  fwec-t  abode. 

In  wortii's  fair  path  his  Icct    adventured  far, 

The  p.ide  of  peace,  ihe  rifing  gtace  of  war. 

In  duty  firtrv,  in    danger  calm  a^  even, 

To  frends  unchanging,  and  iinccre  to  heaven. 

'Mow  fiiort  his  cr.urJe,  the  pri'/.e  how  early  wen, 

While  vvccp-.ng  Fi-Jendlhip   mourns  her   fayoriie  gone/* 


NEW- ENGLAND.  361 

"To  the  memory  of  Andre,  his  country  have  1776! 
ereSed  the  moft  magnificent  monuments,  and 
bellowed  on  his  family  the  higheft  honors,  and 
mofl  liberal  rewards.  To  the  memory  of  Hale, 
not  a  done  has  been  erected,  nor  an  infcription  to 
preferve  his  allies  frominfult."* 

UNDER  the  idea  that  the  victory  at  LongJfland 
would  intimidate  the  congrefs  into  a  compliance  with 
his  terms,  Lord  Howe  fent  Gen.  Sullivan  on  parole^ 
with  a  meffage  to  that  body,  importing,  that) 
"  though  he  could  not  confiilently^  treat  with  them 
as  a  legal  affembly,  he  was  defirous  of  conferring 
with  fome  of  their  members,  in  their  private  capa- 
city ;"  fetting  forth,  at  the  fame  time,  the  nature 
and  extent  of  the  powers,  that  were  veiled  in  him 
and  his  brother,  as  commiilioners.  They  replied, 
that  "  the  congrefs  of  the  free  and  independent 
Hates  of  America  could  not,  with  propriety,  fend 
any  of  its  members  in  any  other  capacity  than 
that,  which  they  had  publicly  aflumed  ;  but  that, 
ever  deiirous  of  eflablilliing  peace  on  equitable 
conditions,  they  would  appoint  a  committee  of 
their  body,  to  hear  what  propofals  he  could  make 
for  that  purpofe."t 

THE  committee,  appointed  by  congrefs,  was 
compofed  of  John  Adams,  the  prefent  prefident 
of  the  United  States,  Dr.  Franklin,  and  Edward 
Rutledge.  They  met  Lord  Howe  on  Staten-Ifl- 
and,  and  were  received  with  great  politenefs.  The 

*  The  wntiler  of  the  Hijhry  cf  New -England  is  indebted  to 
Iilflj'jr »G?veral  Hull,  of  Nt<ivtonfjer  tb:  ihtcrefting  account  of 
capj&in  Hale.  \  Rawfay* 


36*  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1776. -committee  behaved  with  dignity,  and  explicitly 
aflured  his  lordfhip,  that  neither  they,  nor  the 
congrefs  which  fent  them,-  had  authority  to  treat 
in  any  other  capacity,  thair  as  independent  dates. 
Lord  Howe  ended  the  conference  on  his  part,,  by 
expreffing  his  regard  for  America,  and  the  ex- 
treme pain  he  mould  fuller,  in  being  obliged  to 
dift-refs  thofc,  whom-  he  fo  much  regarded.  Dr. 
Franklin  thanked  him  for  his  regards,  and  allured 
him,  "  that  the  Americans  would  mew  their  grati- 
tude, by  endeavouring  to  leilen,  as  much  as  pof- 
fible,  all  pain  he  might  feel  on  their  account,  by 
exerting,  their  utmoft  abilities,  in  taking  good 
care  of  themfelves."* 

THE  unfuccefsful  termination  of  the  battle  on 
Long-Ifland  greatly  difpirited  the  continental  ar- 
my. Whole  companies  of  militia  relinquifhed  the 
camp.  Their  example  infected  the  regular  regi- 
ments. General  Mercer,  who  commanded  the 
flying  camp,  in  a  letter  dated  September  4, 
gi'ves  the  following  defcription :  "  General  Wafh- 
mgton  has  not,  as  far  as  I  have  feen,  five  thou- 
fand  men  to  be  depended  on  for  the  fervice  of  the 
campaign  ;  and  I  have  not  a  thoufand.  Both  our 
armies  are  compofed  of  raw  militia,  perpetually 
fluctuating  between  the  camp  and  their  farms  j 
poorly  armed,  and  dill  worfe  difciplineu."  In 
this  critical  frtuation,  it  was  determined  to  act  on 
the  defenfive,  and  not  riik  the  army  for  the 
fake  of  New- York.  The  public  ftores  were  re- 
moved to  Dobbs'  ferry,  about  twenty-fix  miles 

*  Ramfay,  VoL  I.  p.  304* 


NEW.  E  N  G  L  A  N  1).  363 

from  the  city.     Twelve  thoufand  men  were  order-  1776. 
ed  to  the  northern  extremity  of  New- York  iiland,  V^VN^ 
and  four  thoufand  five  hundred  were  left  in  the 
city.     Before  the  Britifh  landed,  it  was  impoilible 
to  tell  what  place   would  be  firft  attacked.     For 
this  reafon,  works  were  ere&ed  for  the  defence 
of  a  variety  of  places,    as   well  as  New- York  j 
and  thefe  were  occupied  by  the  remainder  of  the 
troops.* 

GENERAL  Howe,  having  prepared  every  thing  Sep.i5. 
for  a  defcent  on  New- York  ifland,  began  to  land 
his  men  under  cover  of  fhips  of  war,  between 
Kepp's  bay  and  Turtle  bay,  where  bread-works 
had  been  erecled,  and  a  party  flationed  to  oppofe 
the  Britim.  General  Wamington,  in  his  letters 
to  congrefs,  thus  defcribes  the  fcene  which  enfued. 
*c  As  foon  as  I  heard  the  firing,  I  rode  with  all 
poflible  difpatch  towards  the  place  of  landing, 
when,  to  my  great  furprize  and  mortification,  I 
found  the  troops,  that  had  been  polled  in  the  lines, 
retreating  with  the  utmoft  precipitation,  and  thofe 
ordered  to  fupport  them  (Parfons*  and  Fellows' 
brigades)  flying  in  every  direction,  and  in  the 
greateft  confufion,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of 
their  generals  to  form  them,  I  ufed  every  means 
in  my  power  to  rally  and  get  them  in  fome  order  ; 
but  my  attempts  were  fruitlefs  and  ineffectual  ; 
and  on  the  appearance  of  a  fmall  party  of  the 
enemy  (not  more  than  fixty  or  feventy)  their 
diforder  increafed,  and  they  ran  away  in  the  great* 
eft  confufion,  without  firing  a  fmgle  gun."f 

*  Gordon,  Vol.  //./>.  316  --325.    Ram fay ,  Vol.  L  p.  304,  305. 
Wfybi nitons  Letters,  VoL  L  p    231,   237.     f  lb{dr  /»,  246, 


364  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1776.  GENERAL  Wafhington  was  highly  diftrefied  by 
this  cowardly  conduct,  and  under  the  mod  live- 
ly appreheniions  of  its  fatal  conferences.  Im- 
preffed  with  thefe  ideas,  he  hazarded  his  perfon 
for  fome  confiderable  time  in  the  rear  of  his  own 
men,  and  in  front  of  the  enemy,  with  his  horfe's 
head  towards  the  latter,  as  if  in  expectation,  that, 
by  an  honorable  death,  he  might  efcape  the  infa- 
my he  dreaded,  from  the  daftardly  conduct  of 
troops  on  whom  he  could  place  no  dependance. 
His  aids,  and  the  confidential  friends  around  his  per- 
fon, by  indirect  violence,  compelled  him  to  retire  ; 
in  confequence  of  which,  his  life  was  preferve4 
for  public  fervice.* 

THE  fubfequent  day,  a  fkirmifh  took  place  be- 
tween two  battalions  of  light  infantry  and  High- 
landers, commanded  by  brigadier-general  Leflie, 
and  fome  detachments  from  the  American  army, 
under  the  command  of  lieutenant-col.  Knowlton, 
of  Connecticut,  and  major  Leitch,  of  Virginia, 
The  colonel  was  killed,  and  the  major  dangerouf- 
ly  wounded.  Their  men  behaved  with  great 
bravery,  and  fairly  beat  the  enemy  from  the  field. 
Moft  of  thefe  were  the  fame  men,  who  had  difgrao 
ed  themfelves  the  day  before  by  flight.  Struck 
with  a  fenfe  of  iharne,  they  had  offered  themfelves 
as  volunteers,  and  requefled  the  commander  in 
chief  to  give  them  an  opportunity  to  retrieve  their 
honor.  In  this  manner  the  general  employed  his 
troops  in  continual  fkirmifhes,  in  order  to  annoy 
the  enemy,  and  inure  them  to  actual  fervice  \  by 

*  Ranfaj,  Vol.  L  p.   506,  307. 


NEW-ENGL  AND.  365 

which   means  they  foon   recovered  their   fpirits,  1776, 
and  behaved  with  their  ufual  boldnefs.* 

THE  Americans  having  evacuated  New-York, Oa. it. 
a  brigade  of  the  Britifh  marched  into  it.  In  or- 
der to  cut  off  General  Wafhington's  communica- 
tion with  the  eaftern  dates,  General  Howe  left 
Lord  Percy,  with  a  fufficient  force  to  garrifon  this 
city,  and  embarking  his  army  in  flat-bottomed  boats, 
paffed  through  Hell-gate,  and  landed  on  Frogs- 
neck,  in  Weft-Chefter  county.  Two  days  after 
-  the  movement  of  the  royal  army,  General  Lee  ar- 
rived from  Charlefton,  and,  at  a  council  of  war, 
preffed  the  neceility  of  evacuating  Fort- Warning- 
ton,  and  the  whole  iiland  of  New- York.  General 
Greene  oppofed  the  evacuation  of  Fort-Wafhing- 
ton  and  Fort-Lee,  oppofite  to  the  Jerfey  fhore,  as 
they  would  divert  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  from 
joining  their  main  force  ;  and  would  alfo  cover 
the  tranfportation  of  provifions  and  (lores  up  the 
North-river,  for  the  fervice  of  the  American 
troops.  His  opinion  prevailed.  New- York  ifland 
was  evacuated  ;  but  garrifons  were  left  in  Fort^ 
Wafhington  and  Fort-Lee  ;  three  thoufand  men 
being  afiigned  for  the  defence  of  the  former.f 

GEN.  Wafhington,  while  retreating  from  New- 
York  iiland,  was  careful  to  make  a  front  towards 
the  Britifh,  from  Eaft-Chefter  almoft  to  White 
Plains,  in  order  to  fecure  the  march  of  thofe,  who 
were  left  behind,  and  to  defend  the  removal  of  the 
fick,  the  cannon  and  (lores  of  the  army.  A  con- 

*  Rctmfayi  Jro!    2,  p.  307.    LtttJrum,  Vol.  11.  p>  114. 

•\  Gu-Jw,  YuL  11.  /.  336—338.    Lendrum,  VaLUf.  1*6.. 


366  HISTORY    O  F 

1776.  fiderable  a&ion  enfued  at  White  Plains,  in  which 

^^  feveral  hundreds  fell,  but  nothing  decifive  took 
place. 

Now  12.  THE  Britifh  met  with  complete  fuccefsin  reducing 
the  forts,  which  the  Americans  retained  in  New- 
York  ifland,  Fort-Wafhington,  which  was  com- 
jnandedby  col.  Magaw,was  attacked  in  four  different 
places  at  once,  and  quickly  reduced.  The  num- 
ber of  prifoners  amounted  to  about  2700.  They 
were  confidered  by  the  articles  of  capitulation  as 
prifoners  of  war,  and  the  officers  were  allowed  to 
keep  their  baggage  and  fide  arms.  Soon  after, 
Lord  Cornwallis,  with  a  confiderable  force,  paffed 

Noy.i8,ovei  to  attack  For t-Lee,  on  the  oppofite  Jerley 
fhore.  The  garrifon  were  faved,  by  immediate 
evacuation,  at  the  expence  of  their  artillery  and 
Jlores. 

THESE  difaftrous  events,  and  the  diminution  of 
the  American  army,  by  the  departure  of  thofe, 
whofe  time  of  fervice  had  expired,  encouraged  the 
Britiih,  notwithstanding  the  feverity  of  the  winter, 
and  the  badnef*  of  the  roads,  to  purfue  the  re- 
maining inconfiderable  continental  force,  with  the 
profpecl  of  annihilating  it.  By  this  turn  of  af- 
fairs, the  interior  country  was  furprized  into  con- 
iufion,  and  found  an  enemy  within  its  bowels, 
without  a  fufficient  army  to  oppofe  it.  To  retreat 
•was  the  only  expedient  left.  This  having  com- 
menced. Lord  CornwaUis  followed,  and  was  clofe 
in  the  rear  of  Gen.  Wafhingtori,  as  he  retreated 
fucceflively  to  Newark,  to  Brunfwick,  to  Prince- 
ton, to  Trenton,  and  to  the  Pennfylvania  fide  of 


N  E  W-E  N  CLAN  £.  567 

tlie  Delaware.     The  purfuit   was  urged  with   fo  1776. 
much  rapidity,  that  the   rear   of  the   one   army,- 
pulling  down  bridges,  was  often  within  fight  and 
mot  of  the  van  of  the  other,  building  them  up.* 

THIS  retreat  into1  and  through  New-Jerfey  com- 
menced in  a  few  days  after  the  reduction  of  Fort- 
Wafhington.  The  army  was  alnloft  conflantly 
diminifhing  5  and  the  fmall  force$  which  remained, 
in  want  of  neceffary  articles.  In  this  gloomy  (late 
of  public  affairs,  numbers  changed  fides,  and  went 
over  to  the  Britim.  Some  of  the  leading  men  in 
New-Jerfey  and  Pennfylvania  adopted  this  expe- 
dient. 

DURING  the  royal  fuccefTes  in  the  ferfies,  Gen. 
Clinton,  with  four  brigades  of  Britifh  and  Hef- 
iian  troops,  and  a  fquadron  of  men  of  war  under 
Sir  Peter  Parker,  was  fent  to  attempt  the  conquefl 
of  Rhode-Ifland.  It  was  taken  without  the  lofs  of 
a  man ;  the  American  forces  being  incapable  of 
making  effectual  refinance.  Hence.,  on  the  day 
that  Gen.  Wafhingtpn  crofTed  the  Delaware,  the 
Britifh  took  poffeflion  of  the  ifland,  and  at  the  fame 
time  blocked  up  commodore  Hopkins'  fquadron, 
and  a  number  of  privateers  at  Providence.! 

IN  this  alarming  fituation  of  affairs,  Gen.  Lee 
was  taken  prifoner  at  Bafkenridge,  by  a  party  of 
Britifh  light-horfe,  commanded  by  col.  Harcourt. 
This  event  greatly  deprefled  thefpirits  of  the  Ame- 
ricans, who  had  repofed  extravagant  confidence  in 
his  military  talents,  and  experience  of  regular  Eu- 
ropean war.J 

*   Ramfay,  Vol.  I.  p.    312.       f  lbld%  p.  313.      Gordon,   Vol. 
ll.p.   369,      \  Lees  Memoir*.  J>.  14, 


368  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    OF 

1776.      EVERY    circumftance   feemed,   at  this   period, 

Uxv^/  unfavorable  to  the  Americans.  The  northern 
forces  at  Ticonderoga  were  in  a  difagreeable  fitua- 
tion.  After  they  were  expelled  from  Canada, 
their  naval  force  was  nearly  deftroyed,  and  the 
Britifli  had  undifputed  poilefTion  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain.  With  the  clole  of  this  year,  a  retreating 
half  naked  army  was  to  be  difmiffed,  and  the  prof- 
peel:  of  a  new  one  was  both  diflant  and  uncertain. 
The  recently  affumed  independence  of  the  flates 
was  apparently  on  the  verge  of  diifolution. 

Dee,i 9*  IN  proportion  as  difficulties  increafed,  congrefs 
redoubled  their  exertions ;  and  evinced  that  firm- 
nefs  and  energy  of  mind,  which  no  dangers  could 
difcoumge.  They  addrefied  the  ftates  in  animated 
language,  calculated  to  remove  their  defpondency, 
renew  their  hopes,  and  confirm  their  refolutions. 
At  the  fame  time  they  difpatched  gentlemen  of 
character  and  influence,  to  excite  the  militia  to  take 
the  field.  They  alfo  recommended  to  the  United 
States  to  appoint  a  day  of  folemn  fading  and 
prayer.* 

Der.27.  IN  this  dangerous  fituation  of  affairs,  congrefs 
transferred  extraordinary  powers  to  Gen.  Wafhing- 
ton,  for  the  limited  term  of  fix  months,  unlefo 
foorier  determined  by  their  authority.  He  \va> 
empowered  to  difplace  and  appoint  all  officers  umkr 
the  rank  of  brigadier-general;  to  reform  and  new 
model  the  military  arrangements,  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner as  he  judged  bed  for  the  public  fervice  ;  to 
raiie  16  battalions  of  infantry,  3000  light-horfe? 

*  Ram  fay,  VoL  I,  p.  315. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  I).  369 

three  regiments  of  artillery,  and  a  corps  of  engineers,  1776. 
in  addition  to  thofc  already  voted  by  congrefs ;  to 
eftablifh  their  pay  ;  to  form  magazines  ;  to  take 
whatever  he  may  want  for  the  ufe  of  the  army, 
if  the  inhabitants  will  not  fell  it,  upon  paying  a 
reafonable  price  for  the  fame  ;  to  enforce  the  ac- 
ceptance of  continental  currency  ;  to  prefent  the 
names  and  offences  of  the  difaftecled,  together  with 
the  witnefTes  to  prove  them.* 

THE  thick  cloud  which  at  prefent  impended, 
did  not  induce  congrefs  to  entertain  the  moll  dif- 
tant  idea  of  purchafmg  peace  by  returning  to  the 
condition  of  Britifh  fubjects.  On  the  other  hand, 
they  firmly  refolved  to  abide  by  their  declared  in- 
dependence ;  and  preferred  freedom  of  trade  to 
any  foreign  nation,  trufling  the  event  to  Provi- 
dence, and  riiking  all  confequences.  Copies  of 
thefe  refolutions  were  difpatched  to  the  principal 
courts  of  Europe  -9  and  proper  perfons  appointed 
to  folicit  their  friend fhip  to  the  new  formed  flates.f 

IN  this  crifis  of  danger,  1500  of  the  Pennfylva- 
nia  militia  embodied,  to  reinforce  the  continental 
army.  The  number  of  troops  at  this  time  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Wamingtcn,  fluctuated  be* 
tween  2  and  3000  men.  With  this  fmall  force,  he 
formed  the  bold  refolutionof  recroffing  into  theftate 
of  Newjerfey,  and  attacking  that  pait  of  the  ene- 
my, which  was  ported  at  Trenton.  This  party 
were  in  a  (late  of  perfect  fecurity,  fuppofing  it  im- 
poflible  for  the  Americans,  under  their  difadvan- 

*  Gordon,  /W. //./>.  405.     Lendrum,    Vol.  //./>.  1 16. 

ol*  !•    /    317' 

Y  y 


370  H  I  S  T  O  K  Y    0  f«' 

1776.  tages,  to  commence  offenfive  operations.  It  has 
v'v*sj  been  faid  that  col.  Rahl,  the  commanding  officer 
in  Trenton,  being  under  fome  apprehenfions  for 
that  frontier  poft.,  applied  to  Gen.  Grant  for  a  re- 
inforcement, and  that  the  general  returned  for  an- 
fwer,  "  tell  the  colonel  he  is  very  fafe  ;  I  will  un- 
dertake to  keep  the-  peace  in  New-Jerfey  with  a 
corporal's  guard."* 

ON 'the  night  of  the  ajtli  of  December,  Gen* 
Wafliington-  crofted  th-e  Delaware,  and  at  day-break 
inarched  down-  to  Trenton.  He  fo  completely 
furprized  the  enemy,  that  finding  they  were  iur- 
•rounded,  and  that  they  rmift  inevitably  be  cut  to 
pieces  by  making  farther  refiftance,  they  agreed 
to  lay  down  their  arms.  The  number  that  fubmit- 
ted,  were  23  officers,  and  88-6  men.  Between 
3,0  and  40  of  the  Medians- were  killed  and  wound- 
ed. .  Col.  Rahl  was  among  the  number,  who  were 
flam;  Capt.  Waihington,  of  the  Virginia  troops, 
and  five  or  fix  of  the  Americans,  were  wounded. 
Two  were  killed,  and  two  or  three  frozen  to  death  ; 
the  night  on  which  they  eroded  the  Delaware,  be- 
ing remarkable  for  the  feverity  of  the  cold,  and  a 
violent  florin  of  haiLf 

SMALI,  reinforcements  from  feveral  quarters  ar- 
rived, and,  after  fecuring  the  Heflian  prifoners, 
Gen.  Wamington  recrofled  the  Delaware,  and  took 
poiTeilion  of  Trenton. 

"  GLOOMY,  however,  were  his  profpecls  in  this 
fituation.  The  clofe  of  the  year  1776,  terminated 
the  engagements  of  almofi:  the  whole  of  the  contr- 

*  Ram/ay t  FoL  I  p.  319.     .-}•  Ibid. 


NE  W-ENG  L  AND.  371 

mental  army,  efpecially  that  part  from  New-  1776. 
England.  The  Britifh  were  collecting  in  flrong 
force  in  Princeton  in  his  front ;  the  Delaware  was 
in  his  rear,  and  the  ice  floated  down  in  fuch  quan- 
tities, that  a  retreat  became  very  difficult,  if  not 
i-rnpoliible.  It  is  hardly  poffible  to  conceive,  that 
the  pofition  of  an  army  could  be  more  critical,  or 
the  fate  of  a  country  more  hazardous,  than  at  this 
moment.  It  remained  for  the  genius  of  a  Wafli- 
kigton,  and  the  exertions  of  a  patriot  army,  to  fur- 
mount  the  difficulties,  which  prefented  themfelves. 

"  THE  firft  object  of  the  general  was  to  perfuade 
the  continental  troops  to  engage  for  fix  weeks. 
As  an  inducement,  he  called  on  their  patriotifm, 
and  the  dreadful  confequences  of  their  abandoning 
him  in  that  fituation.  He  pointed  out  the  dangers 
and  difficulties  of  retiring  to  their  homes,  hemmed 
in  as  they  were  by  the  enemy  on  one  fide,  and  by 
the  elements  on  the  other.  He  made  a  perfonal 
addrefs  to  the  different  regiments,  and  in  fuch  per- 
fuafive  language,  that  it  produced  the  defired  effect. 
Although  the  foldiers  had  been  a  year  from  their 
homes,  had  paffed  through  unparalleled  fcenes  of 
danger  and  fatigue,  were  fo  deftitute  of  necefiary 
clothing,  that  it  was  eafy  to  trace  them  by  the 
blood  from  their  feet,  yet  they  almoil  unanimouily 
complied  with  his  requeft.  Perhaps  the  annals  of 
hiitory  do  not  prefent  a  brighter  example  of  dif- 
interefted  patriotism,  than  was  exhibited  on  this  co- 
ca fion. 

"  WHEN  we  confider  the  inclemency  of  the  fea- 
fon,  the  naked  condition  of  the  troops,  the  anxi- 


372  HISTORY    OF 

1776.  ery,  which  is  naturally  felt  by  men  who  had  paffed 
through  fo  many  interefting  fcenes,  to  return  to 
their  homes,  repofe  from  their  labors,  and  relate 
the  wonderful  events,  which  they  had  witneifed, 
and  in  which  they  had  been  actors,  it  is  almoft  a 
miracle  that  any  confideration  could  have  prevail- 
ed  on  them  to  adopt  the  meafure. 

"  THE  confequences  of  this  laudable  conduct 
were  as  happy  to  America  as  it  was  honorable  to 
the  general,  who  projected  it,  and  the  army,  which 
had  adopted  it. 

"  THE  ftrength  of  the  Britifh  army,  having 
been  collected  at  Princeton,  in  confequence  of  the 
defeat  of  the  Heilians,  and  the  command  having 
been  intruded  to  that  diftinguimed  officer,  Lord 
Cornwallis,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  2d  of  January, 
1777,  he  appeared  in  ftrong  force  in  the  vicinity 
of  Trenton.  Skirmifhes  took  place  between  the 
two  aimies,  in  the  progrefs  of  the  Britiih,  which 
impeded  their  movements,  and  afforded  the  Ame- 
rican army  an  opportunity  of  removing  all  their 
(tores,  artillery,  &c.  on  the  ibuth  fide  of  the  creek; 
where  the  army  finally  retired  towards  evening, 
and  took  a  pofition.  with  the  creek  in  their  front, 
their  left  extending  towards  the  Delaware,  and  their 
right  towards  Princeton,  about  two  miles  from  the 
mouth  of  the  creek.  The  Britiih  army  advanced 
with  great  rapidity  into  the  town,  attempted  to 
force  the  bridge  over  the  creek  ;  Viut  not  being  able 
to  effect  it,  took  poiTerTion  of  the  town,  and  the 
high  grounds  on  the  creek,  directly  oppofite  to  the 
American  army. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  373 

cc  NIGHT  put  an  end  to  the  operations,  and  left  1777. 

the  two  armies  in  the  pofitions,  which  have  been 

defcribed.     Early  in  the  evening,  Gen.  Walhing- 

ton  called  a  council  of  war,  and  defcribed  the  very 

critical  fituation  in  which  he  was  phced.     That  he 

confidered  the  fate  of  his  country  impending  on 

the  operations  of  that  night.     That  it  was  impofli- 

ble  to  repafs  the  Delaware,  on  account  of  the  ice. 

That  the  Britilh  army  was  fo  far  fuperior  in  point 

of  numbers,  that  to  riik  an  action  on  that  ground 

would  probably   be   fatal,   and  that  fome  decided 

meafure  muft   be  adopted.      He  then   flated  the 

force  which  was  probably  left  at  Princeton  ;    and 

amidft  a  choice  of  difficulties,  thought  an  attempt 

to  make  a  circuitous  march,  fo  as  to  reach  that 

place  by  day-light  in  the  morning,  was  the  lead. 

"  The  council  of  war  approved  of  the  meafure, 
and  orders  were  communicated  to  the  different 
regiments,  about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  to 
light  up  their  fires,  and  to  be  ready  to  march  at 
a  moment's  warning.  About  twelve  at  night,  the 
army  began  its  march,  leaving  their  fires  lighted, 
and  the  centinels  on  the  margin  of  the  creek,  who 
were  to  remain  until  day-light  in  the  morning,  and 
then  make  their  wuy  off  in  the  beft  manner  poffi- 
ble."« 

BY  a  providential  fnterpofition,  the  weather, 
which  had  been  for  fome  time  paft  warm,  moift 
and  fog^y,  fuddenly  changed  ;  and  foon  rendere4 

7bn  compiler  of  the  Hi/lory  of  New -England  is  indebted  to 
Majtr ,(.Ttneral  Hull,  of  Newton,  fur   the  abo^vf   account   of  th& 
Jitudtiin  <-f  the  American  army,  after  the  battle  of  Trenton, 
« .-/•:({  hi  we  If  in  the  Jew  be  hat  Jo  accurately 


,74  H  I  S  T  O  11  Y    O  F 

1777.  the  road,  which  had  been  deep  and  heavy,  firm 

'^^^  and  fmooth  as  a  pavement.* 

Jan.  3.     GENERAL  Washington  reached  Princeton  .early 
in  the  morning,  and  would  have  completely  fur- 
prized  the  Britifh,  had  not  a  party,  which   were 
on  their  -way  to^  Trenton,  defcried  his  troops,  when 
they  were  about  two  miles  diftant,  and  fent  back 
Couriers  to  alarm  their  unfufpecling  fellow  foldiers 
in  the  rear.     The  centre  of  the   Americans,  con- 
fiding of  the   Philadelphia  militia,  whilll  on  their 
line  of  march,  was  brifkly  charged  by  a  party  of  the 
Bntiih,  and  gave  way  in  diforder.     At  this  criti- 
cal moment,  General  Washington  pufhed  forward, 
and  placed  himfelf  between  his  own  men    and  the 
Britifh,  with  his  horfe's   head  fronting  the    latter. 
The  Americans,  encouraged  by  his  example  and 
exhortations,  made  a  Hand,  and  returned  the  Biit- 
iih  fire.     The  general,  though  between  both  par- 
ties, was  providentially   uninjured   by   either.     A 
party  of  the  Britifh  fled  into  the  college,  and  were 
there  attacked.     The  feat  of  the  mufes  became  for 
,-aie  time  the  fcene  of  action.    The  party,  who  had 
taken   refuge  in  the  college,   after  receiving  a  few 
difcharges  from  the  American  field-pieces,    came 
out  and  furrendered  themfelves  prifoners  of  war. 
In  the  courfe  of  the  engagement,  60  of  the  Britiih 
were  killed,  a  greater  number  wounded,  and  about 
300  were  taken  prifoners.      The  remainder   made 
their  efcape.     The  lofs  of  the  Americans  was  in- 
considerable  in  point  of  numbers ;  but    the  death 
of  Gen.  Mercer  was  juftly  and  deeply  lamented. 

*  Gtrdoa,  Vol.  II   *,  400,    401.     Ranfoy,  Vol.  L  /.  325. 


N  E  W -£  N  G  L  A  N  D.  375 

THESE  important  events  filled  the  Britiflt  with  1777. 
confternation,  and  deranged  all  their  plans.  They 
were  foon  obliged  to  evacuate  both  Trenton  and 
Princeton.  The  American  militia  collected,  and 
forming  themfelves  into  parties,  waylaid  their  en- 
emies, and  cut  them  off  whenever  an  opportunity 
prefented.  In  a  few  days  they  overrun  the  Jerfies. 
Gen.  Maxwell  furprized  Elizabethtown,  and  took 
about  100  prifoners.  The  royal  troops  abandon- 
ed Newark  and  Woodoridge  ;  and  were  confined 
to  Amboy  and  Brunfwick,  which  held  a  water  com- 
munication with  New-York.  Thus,  in  the  fhort 
fpace  of  a  month,,  that  part  of  Jerfey,  which  lies 
between  New-Brunfwick  and  Delaware,  was  both 
overrun  by  the  Britim,  and  recovered  by  the  Ame- 
ricans. The  unbounded  rapacity  and  cruelty  of 
the  Brkiih  and  Heflian  foldiers  ftimulated  the  mi- 
litia of  Jerfey  to  revenge,  and  infpired  them  with 
courage  in  the  defence  of  their  country.* 

AFTER  the  victories  of  Trenton- and  Princeton,, 
major-general  Putnam  was  directed  to  take  poft  at 
Princeton,  and  cover  the  country  in  the  vicinity. 
He  had  only  a  few  hundred  troops,  though  he  was 
no  more  than  eighteen  miles  diftant  from  the  ilrong 
garrifon  of  the  Britifh  at  Brunfwick.  At  one  pe- 
riod he  had  fewer  men  for  duty  than  he  had  miles 
of  frontier  to  guard.f  The  force  of  General 
Wafhington  was  fo  inconfiderable,  that  he  thus 
wrote,  by  the  middle  of  March.  "  After  the  fif- 
teenth, when  General  Lincoln's  militia  leave  us, 

*   Ram  fay,  Vol.  I.  p     326,   327,   £3. 
\  tiwnfbreyt  Lift  ef  Putnam,  />.  150. 


H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    OF 


X777*  we  ma*l  onb'  nave  tne  fewiains  of  the  five  Virginia 
regiments,  who  do  not  amount  all  together  to  more 
than  5  or  600  men,  and  two  of  the  other  conti- 
nental battalions,  very  weak.  The  reft  of  our  ar- 
my is  compofed  of  fmall  parties  of  militia,  from 
this  (late  and  Pennfylvania,  and  ilttle  dependance 
can  be  put  on  the  militia,  as  they  come  and  go 
when  they  pleafe.  If  the  enemy  do  not  move,  it 
will  be  a  miracle.  Nothing  but  ignorance  of  our 
numbers  and  fituation  can  protecl  us."*  Notwith- 
ftanding  the  Americans  were  obliged  to  contend 
with  far  fuperior  force,  and  in  1776  an  uncommon 
ficknefs  raged  in  their  army  ;  they  were  enabled, 
by  the  finnnefs  of  congreis,  and  the  heroic  enter- 
prizes  of  their  general,  to  clofe  the  campaign  of 
this  year  with  advantage,  which  at  its  commence- 
ment threatened  the  country  with  deftrudion. 

*  Wafijintcni   Letters. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  AN  IX  377 


CHAPTER   XXX. 

The  American  army  recruited.  S fores  at  Peck's -kill 
dcftroyed.  Magazines  deftroyed  at  Danbury.  Gen* 
Woqfter  killed.  The  American  expedition  againft 
Long-I/land,  under  colonel  Meigs*  General  Prefect 
taken.  The  Britijh  plan  an  attempt  againft  Phi- 
ladelphia. General  Washington  advances  to  the 
relief  of  that  city.  Battle  at  Brandywine.  Con* 
grefsjtee  to  Torktown.  Philadelphia  taken.  Bat- 
tle at  Germantoivn.  Pajfa&e  °f  ^ 
opened  to  Philadelphia. 


'OON  after  the*  declaration  of  inde* 
pendence,  the  authority  of  congrefs  was  obtained, 
for  raifing  an  army,  that  would  be  more  perma- 
nent than  the  temporary  levies,  which  they  had 
previoufly  brought  into  the  field.  For  this  pur* 
pofe  the  recruiting  officers  were  inftru&ed  to  of* 
fer  the  alternative  of  enlifling  either  for  the  war, 
or  for  three  years,  Thofe  who  engaged  on  the 
firft  conditions,  were  promifed  an  hundred  acres 
of  land,  in  addition  to  their  pay  and  bounty.  The 
troops  raifed  by  congrefs  for  the  fervice  of  the 
linked  States,  were  called  continentals.  Though 
in  September,  1776,  it  had  been  refolved,  to  raife 
88  battalions,  and  in  December  following  authori- 
ty was  given  to  General  Wafhington  to  raife  io~ 
more,  yet  very  little  progrefs  had  been  made  in 


8  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1777.  the  recruiting  bufmefs,  till  after  the  battles  of 
^^^  Trenton  and  Princeton.  Even  after  that  period, 
fo  much  time  was  necerlariiy  confumed  before  thefe 
new  recruits  joined  the  commander  in  chief,  that 
his  whole  force  at  Morriftown,  and  the  feveral  out- 
polls,  for  ibme  time,  did  not  exceed  1500  men. 
Yet,  what  is  almoft  incredible,  thefe  1500  kept  as 
many  thoufands  of  the  Britifh  cloicly  pent  up  in 
Brunfwick.  Almoft  every  party  that  was  fent  out 
by  the  latter,  was  fuccefsfully  oppoied  by  the  for- 
mer, and  the  adjacent  country  preferred,  in  a  great 
degree  of  tranquility.* 

IT  was  matter  of  aitonifhment,  that  the  Brhifli 
fullered  the  dangerous  interval,  between  the  dif- 
banding  of  one  army,  and  the  railing  of  another, 
to  pafs  away  without  Attempting  fomething  of  con- 
fequence  againft  the  remaining  ihadow  of  an  arm- 
ed force. 

THOUGH  General  Howe  made  no  capital  ftroke 
againft  the  Americans  at  this  time,  he  concerted  an 
operation  againft  the  poft  at  PeekVkill,  which 
General  M'Dougal  occupied,  and  where  provifions 
and  ftores  were  depofited.  Colonel  Bird,  with  a 
detachment  of  500  men,  was  convoyed  by  the 
rvTar,23tBrnne  frigate  to  PeekVkill,  nearly  fifty  miles  from 
'  New- York.  At  his  approach,  the  few  Americans, 
who  were  ftationed  as  a  guard  at  this  poft,  fired 
the  principal  llore-houfes,  and  retired  to  a  good  po- 
fnion,  about  two  or  three  miles  dillant.  The  lois 
of  provifions,  forage,  and  other  valuable  articles- 
was  confiderable.f 

»  Ramfay,  Vol.  II.  p.  3;      f  Gor&n,     Vol.  IL  f.  223. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  379 

SOON  after,  major-general  Tryon,  with  a  detach-  1777. 


ment  of  3000  men,  embarked  at  New-York,  and 
patting  through  the  found,  landed  between  Fair- 
field  and  Nor  walk.  They  then  marched  to  Dan-Apr.z6. 
bury  ;  and  the  few  continentals  who  were  in  the 
town  withdrew  upon  their  approach.  With  wan- 
ton barbarity  they  burnt  the  place,  and  deflroyed  a 
large  number  of  valuable  articles.  Upon  their 
return  from  this  expedition.  Generals  Woofler, 
Arnold  and  Silliman,  having  haftily  collected  a  few 
hundreds  of  the  inhabitants,  made  arrangements  for 
interrupting  their  march  ;  and  they  greatly  annoy- 
ed the  invaders,  when  returning  to  their  mips. 
General  Arnold,  with  about  500  men,  by  a  rapid 
movement,  reached  Ridgefield,  in  their  front,  bar- 
ricaded the  road,  kept  up  a  brifk  fire  upon  them, 
and  fuftained  their  attack,  till  they  had  made  a 
lodgement  on  a  ledge  of  rocks  upon  his  left. 
After  the  Britifh  had  gained  this  eminence,  a 
whole  platoon  levelled  at  General  Arnold,  not 
more  than  thirty  yards  diftant  ;  but  one  ihot 
had  effect,  and  that  killed  his  horfe.  He  had  pre- 
fence  of  mind  to  take  his  piftols,  and  efcaped  by 
(hooting  a  foldier,  who,  while  he  was  extricating 
himfelf  from  his  horfe,  was  advancing  haftily  to 
run  him  through  with  his  bayonet.  The  Ame- 
ricans, in  feveral  detached  parties,  harraffed  the 
rear  of  the  Britifh  ;  and  from  various  ftands,  kept 
up  a  fcattering  fire  upon  them,  till  they  reached 
their  {hipping** 

*  Gordon,  VgL  II.  p.  465.     Ram/ay,  Vol.   II.  p.  3, 


*&o  HISTORY    OF 

•3 

1777.  IN  accomplishing  this  expedition,  the  Britifh 
^^  had  two  or  three  hundred  men  killed,  wounded  or 
taken.  The  lofs  of  the  Americans  was  about 
twenty  killed,  and  forty  wounded.  Among  the 
{lain  was  the  brave  General  Woofter,  a  native  of 
New -Haven,  who,  though  feventy  years  of  age,  be- 
haved with  the  fpirit  and  vigor  of  youth. 
May  24.  SOON  afterwards,  colonel  Meigs,  an  enterprizmg 
officer,  tranfported  a  detachment  of  about  170 
Americans,  in  whale  boats,  over  the  found,  which 
fepaiates  Long -Ifland  from  Connecticut.  This 
party  burned  twelve  brigs  and  fioops  belonging  to 
the  Britifh  ;  deftroyed  the  (lores  collected  for  their 
ufe  in  Sagg- harbor,  on  that  iiland  ;  killed  fix  of 
their  foldiers,  and  brought  off  ninety  prifoners, 
without  having  a  fingle  man  killed  or  wounded.* 
AT  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  the  American 
army  in  New-Jerfey  amounted  only  to  7272  men. 
The  military  manoeuvres  of  General  Howe,  at  this 
period,  were  fuch,  that  his  determined  object  could 
not  be  afcertained.  In  the  mean  time  a  fpiritetj 
adventure  took  place  at  Rhode- Ifiand.  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Barton,  of  a  militia  regiment  of  that  flate, 
accompanied  by  about  40  volunteers,  paifed  by 
night  from  Warwick-neck  to  Rhode-Iiland  j  and 
though  they  had  ten  miles  to  pafs  by  water,  they 
eluded  the  fhips  of  war  and  guard-boats,  with 
which  the  ifland  was  furrounded.  The  enterprize 
was  conducted  with  fuch  filence  and  dexterity, 
that  they  furprized  General  Prefect  in  his  quar- 
ters, and  brought  him  and  one  of  his  aids  fafe  off 

*  £  am/ay,  VoL  11  p.  4. 


NE  W-ENGL  AND.  381 

to  the  continent.  This  event  retaliated .  the  cap-  1777. 
ture  of  General  Lee,  and  proved  an  indemnifica-  *~~*~^ 
tion  of  his  perfon.* 

AT  length  the  uncertainty  in  which  General 
Howe's  defigns  had  been  enveloped  was  difperfed, 
and  the  poffeflion  of  Philadelphia  difcovered  to  be 
his  object. 

THE  royal  army  fet  out  from  the  eaftern  heads 
of  the  Chefapeak,  on  the  3d  of  September,  leav- 
ing their  tents  and  baggage  behind,  and  trufted 
their  future  accommodation  to  fuch  quarters  as 
their  arms  might  procure.  They  advanced  till  they 
were  within  two  miles  of  the  American  army, 
which  was  then  polled  near  Newport.  General 
Wafliington  foon  changed  his  pofition,  and  took 
pod  on  the  high  ground  near  Chadd's  fort,  on  the 
Brandywine  creek,  with  an  intention  of  difputing 
the  pafiage.  Though  the  American  regular  troops 
were  greatly  inferior,  both  in  difcipline  and  num- 
bers, to  the  royal  army,  General  Wamington  was 
in  a  manner  obliged  to  riik  an  adion,  for  the 
defence  of  Philadelphia.  The  opinion  of  the  in-  • 
habitants,  though  founded  on  no  circumflances 
more  fubfiantial  than  their  wifhes,  impofed  this  ipe- 
cies  of  neceffity.f 

THE  Britifh  advanced  at  day-break  in  two  coi-Sep.us 
urnns,  com manded  by  lieutenant-general  Kniphau- 
fen,  and  by  Lord  Cornwallis.  In  the  afternoon  a 
warm  engagement  commenced,  which  lafted  till 
the  clofe  of  twilight.  General  Wafhington,  in  this 
action  received  wrong  information  from  a  quarter 

*l>  IL  />.  491 .      |  R&mfy,  VsL  ILj.  9. 


382  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    OF 

1777.  he  thought  himfelf  obliged  to  credit,  relative  to  the 
different  bodies  of  the  enemy's  forces  in  front ;  and 
oppofmg  his  ftrongeft  part  to  their  weakeft,  gave 
them  an  opportunity  of  paffmg  their  heavieft  col- 
umn, to  which  the  weakeft  part  of  the  American 
army  was  oppofed.  In  confequence  of  this  intel- 
ligence, the  Americans,  after  a  fevere  conflict,  in 
which  they  exhibited  great  relolution,  were  obliged 
to  yield  to  fuperior  force.  The  day,  however,  was 
nearly  confumed  before  the  Britifh  obtained  the 
victory.  The  killed  and  wounded  in  the  royal  ar- 
my amounted  nearly  to  600  ;  and  the  lofs  of  the 
Americans,  including  prifoners,  was  eftitnated  at 
twice  that  number.* 

HERE  the  celebrated  marquis  cle  la  Fayette  firft 
bled  in  defence  of  liberty.  This  nobleman,  when 
only  nineteen  years  of  age,  efpoufed  the  caufe  of 
the  Americans  with  the  mod  difmterefted  and  gen- 
erous  ardor.  His  attachment  continued  unabated, 
during  the  moft  alarming  lituation  of  their  affairs ; 
and  he  determined  to  join  their  army,  and  ferve 
the  caule  he  had  long  cherifhed.  In  1776,  when 
the  continental  army  was  reduced  to  the  lowefl 
ebb,  the  American  commiilioners  at  Paris  endea- 
voured in  vain  to  alter  his  purpofe.  He  rifked  his 
liberty  and  fortune,  and  fitted  out  a  veffel,  in  which 
he  arrived  in  Charlefton  early  in  1777,  and  foon 
joined  the  American  army.  Congrefs,  in  coniid- 
cration  of  his  zeal,  illuftrious  family  and  connex- 
ions, gave  him  the  rank  of  major-general.  He  ac- 
cepted the  appointment,  after  exa&ing  two  con* 

*   Ratxjay,   VoL  II.  />.  9. 


NEW-EN  GLAND.  383 

ditions.  The  one,  that  he  fhould  ferve  at  his  own  1777- 
expence ;  the  other,  that  he  ihould  begin  his  fer- 
vices  as  a  volunteer.  Notwithftanding  the  wound 
he  received  at  the  battle  of  Brandy  wine,  he  contin- 
ued in  the  field,  and  exerted  himfelf  in  rallying  the 
Americans.* 

THE  Americans  at  this  time  fuffered  a  confider-Sep.zo. 
able  lofs.  General  Howe,  having  received  intel- 
ligence that  General  Wayne  was  encamped  in  the 
woods,  with  a  corps  of  1500  men,  detached  Gen. 
Grey  late  at  night,  with  two  regiments  and  a 
body  of  light  infantry,  to  furprize  him.  This  de- 
tachment killed  and  wounded  300  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, by  a  free  and  exclufive  ufe  of  the  bayo- 
net. The  enterprize  was  conducted  with  fo  much 
addrefs,  that  the  lofs  of  the  aifailants  did  not  ex* 
ceed  eight. f 

CONGRESS,  who  after  a  fhort  refidence  at  Bal- 
timore, had  returned  to  Philadelphia,  were  oblig- 
ed a  fecond  time  to  confult  their  fafety  by  flight. 
They  retired  at  firft  to  Lancafter,  and  afterwards 
to  Yorktown. 

ON  the  26th  of  September,  Sir  William  Howe 
made  his  triumphal  entry  into  Philadelphia,  with 
a  final  1  part  of  his  army,  and  where  he  was  moll 
cordially  received  by  the  royalifts.  The  bulk  of 
his  troops  were  left  in  and  about  Germantown,  a 
village  forming  one  continued  flreet  for  about  two 
miles.  General  Wafliington's  army  was  encamp- 
ed near  Skippack  creek,  about  eighteen  miles 
from  thence. 

*  Gor&n,  Vol,J[L  p.  500,  Ramfay,  Vol.  U.  /.si.    f  Hid,  ^.13. 


H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   OF 

1777.  GENERAL  Wafhington  being  informed,  that 
Git.  4.  Qenerai  Howe  had  detached  a  confiderable  part  of 
his  force  for  reducing  the  forts  on  the  Delaware, 
conceived  the  defign  of  attacking  the  Britifh  pod 
at  Germantown.  In  the  commencement  of  the 
action,  the  Americans  were  fuccefsful ;  but  thefe 
promifing  appearances  were  fpeedily  reverfed.  The 
morning  was  extremely  foggy  ;  this,  by  conceal- 
ing the  true  fituation  of  the  parties,  who  made 
the  attack  at  different  places,  occafioned  miftakes, 
and  made  fo  much  caution  neceflary,  as  to  give 
the  Britifh  time  to  recover  from  the  effects  of 
their  firfl  furprize.  The  Americans,  however, 
made  a  refolute  aiTault ;  but  they  were  compelled 
to  retreat,  and  all  efforts  to  rally  them  proved  in* 
effectual.  The  lofs  of  the  royal  army,  including 
the  wounded  and  prifoners,  was  about  five  hun- 
dred. Among  their  flain  were  brigadier-general 
Agnew,  and  lieutenant- colonel  Bird.  The  lofs  of 
the  Americans,  including  four  hundred  prifoners, 
was  about  a  thoufand.  Among  their  flain  were 
General  Nam,  and  his  aid-de-camp,  major  With- 
eripoon.* 

SOON  after  the  battle,  the  royal  army  left  Ger- 
mantown, and  turned  their  principal  attention 
towards  opening  a  free  communication  between 
their  army  and  fhipping. 

THE  Britifh  were  apprized,  that  without  the 
command  of  the  Delaware,  their  pofTefTion  of 
Philadelphia  would  be  of  no  advantage.  This 
induced  General  and  Admiral  Howe  to  concert 

*  Vol.  1L  f>.  16. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  385 

the  moft  vigorous  meafures  for  opening  the  navi-  1777. 
gation  of  that  river.  Batteries  were  eredted  on 
the  Pennfylvania  fhore,  to  afnlt  ia  diilodging  the 
Americans  from  Mud-Ifland.  At  the  fame  time 
Count  Donop,  with  2000  men,  having  crofTed  in- 
to New-jerfey,  oppofite  Philadelphia,  marched 
down  on  the  eaftern  fide  of  the  Delaware,  to  at- 
tack the  redoubt  at  Red  Bank.  In  this  attempt 
Count  Donop  was  mortally  wounded,  and  taken 
prifoner ;  and  400  of  the  royal  detachment  were 
killed  and  wounded.* 

THE  expedition  againfl  Mud-Ifland  met  with 
better  fuccefs  ;  the  Americans  being  driven  thence, 
and  forced  to  retire  to  Red  Bank. 

AFTER  various  exertions,  the  Britifli  accom- 
plifhed  their  object  ;  however,  the  Americans,  by 
protra&ing  the  defence  of  the  Delaware,  derang- 
ed their  plans  for  the  remainder  of  the  campaign, 
and  confequently  faved  the  adjacent  country. 

WHILST  Sir  William  Howe  was  fucceeding  in 
every  enterprize  in  Philadelphia,  intelligence  ar- 
rived that  General  Burgoyne,  with  his  whole  ar- 
my, had  furrendered  as  prifoners  of  war  at  Sara- 
toga, which  will  be  related,  in  the  account  of 
the  northern  campaign,  in  the  fubfequent  chapter. 

»   Ram/ay,  Vol.  1L  p.  1 6 -1 9. 
A  A  a 


HISTORY    OF 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R   XXXI. 

Plan  of  the  Britifh  in  the  northern  campaign  of  1777. 
Conduct  of  that  expedition  committed  to  lieutenant- 
general  Burgoyne.  His  proclamation.  Ticondero- 
ga  befiegcd.  Abandoned  by  Gen.  St.  Clair.  His 
conduct  at  firft  is  highly  cenfurcd  ;  but,  at  length, 
he  is  honorably  acquitted.  The  Americans  recruit 
their  army.  Gen.  Stark  defeats  colonels  Eaum  and 
Breyman,  in  an  attempt  to  fur  prize  the  magazines 
at  "Benn'mgton.  Gen.  Burgoyne  pajfis  North- 
river,  at  Saratoga,  and  advances  to  attack  the 
American  army  at  Stillwater.  Severe  actions  on 
the  i  qtb  of  September,  and  jth  of  October.  The 
Britifh  army  nearly  fur  rounded  on  all  fides.  Con- 
vention concluded  with  Gen.  Gates.  State  of  both 
armies.  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  devajlations  on  the 
North-i  iver. 


o 


NE  great  object  in  the  minifterial 
plan  for  the  campaign  of  1777,  was  to  effect  a  free 
communication  between  New-York  and  Canada, 
and  to  maintain  the  navigation  of  the  intermediate 
lakes.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Americans  \vere 
very  early  attentive  to  their  fecurity  in  that  quar- 
ter, and  had  placed  every  poflible  obflruclion  in 
their  way. 

THE  Britifli  miniflry  were  very  fanguine  in  their 
hopes,  from  the  conferences  of  forming  aline  of 


N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  387 

communication  between  New-York  and  Canada.  1777. 
They  confidered  the  New-England  people  to  be  l^v">J 
the  foul  of  the  confederacy,  and  promifed  them- 
felves  much  by  fevering  them  from  all  free  com- 
munication with  the  neighboring  dates.  They 
hoped,  when  this  was  accomplished,  to  be  able  to 
furround  them  fo  effectually  with  fleets  and  ar- 
mies, *and  Indian  allies,  as  to  compel  their  fubmif- 
fion.  Animated  with  thefe  expectations,  they  af- 
fiduoufly  endeavoured  to  enfure  the  fuccefs  of  the 
plans  they  had  formed  for  this  purpofe.* 

THE  command  in  the  northern  department  was 
transferred  from  Sir  Guy  Carlton  to  General 
Burgoyne,  an  officer  of  didinguilhed  reputation, 
whofe  fpirit  of  enterprize,  and  third  for  military 
fame,  could  not  be  exceeded.  The  forces  allotted 
to  him,  confiding  of  Britifli  and  German  troops, 
amounted  to  more  than  7000  men,  exclufive  of 
the  artillery-corps.  A  powerful  train  of  artillery, 
with  brafs  pieces,  was  furnifhed.  Befides  the  reg- 
ular forces,  feveral  tribes  of  Indians  were  induced 
to  come  into  the  field.  The  army  was  in  every 
refpecl  in  the  bed  condition,  the  troops  were  in 
the  highed  fpirits,  admirably  difciplined,  and  un- 
commonly healthy.f 

AFTER  iffuing  a  proclamation,  in  which  the  Jan. 30. 
power  of  Britain  was  difplayed  in  the  mod  oden- 
tatious  terms.  General  Burgoyne  advanced  with 
his  army  to  Crown-Point.  At  this  place  he  iffued 
orders,  of  which  the  following  words  are  part  : 
"  The  army  embarks  to-morrow  to  approach  the 

*  Rav.Jaj,  VoL  11.  p.  25.     -\  Ibid. 


588  HISTORY    OF 

1777.  enemy.  The  fervices  required  on  this  expedition 
are  critical  and  confpicuous.  During  our  progrefs 
occafions  may  occur,  in  which  nor  difficulty,  nor 
labor,  nor  life  are  to  be  regarded.  This  army  mull 
not  retreat."* 

GEN.  Burgoyne  opened  the  campaign  with  the 
fiege  of  Ticonderoga.  This  place  was  garrifoned 
by  2546  continental  troops,  and  900  militia,  under 
Gen.  St.  Clair.  However,  the  works  were  fo  ex- 
tenfive,  that  this  number  was  too  fmall  for  their 
defence.  The  royal  army,  within  a  few  days  af- 
ter their  arrival,  had  funounded  three  fourths  of 
the  American  works  at  Ticonderoga,  and  Mount 
Independence,  and  had  alfo  advanced  a  work  on 
Sugar-hill,  which  when  completed  would  have  in- 
vefted  the  continental  army  on  all  fides.  In  this 
fituation,  Gen.  St.  Clair  refolved  to  evacuate  the 
poll ;  though  he  was  fenfible  this  meafure  would 
expofe  his  conduct  to  the  fevered  cenfures.  A 
council  of  war  was  called,  who  unanimoufly  ap- 
proved his  heroic  refolution  of  facrifking  perfonal 
reputation  to  fave  his  army.  The  evacuation  of 
Ticonderoga  was  completed  with  fo  much  fecrecy 
and  expedition,  that  a  confiderable  part  of  the  pub- 
lic ilores  were  faved.f 

A  DETACHMENT  of  the  Britifli  army,  under 
General  Frazer,  purfued  the  Americans,  upon 
perceiving  they  had  evacuated  their  ports,  and  a 
bloody  conflict  enfued.  The  continental  troops, 
who  were  commanded  by  colonel  Warner,  made 
a  gallant  refiftance,  but,  after  fuftaining  confidera.- 

*  Ramjay,  Val.  II.  p.  28.     f   //;>',  p.  ^9-31, 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  IX 

ble  lofs,  were  obliged  to  give  way.     Colonel  Fran-  1777. 
cis,  of  the  American  army,  fell  in  this  adion.     He  v^r° 
was  a  very  valuable  officer,  and  on  this  occafion 
conducted  with  great  gallantry. 

THE  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  was  afubjeft  of  J^yl, 
fevere  fcrutiny.  Congrefs  recalled  thejfr  general 
officers  in  the  northern  department,  and  ordered 
an  enquiry  into  their  conduft.  General  St.  Clair 
was  charged  with  incapacity,  cowardice  and 
treachery.  However,  the  wifdom  and  propriety  of 
his  conduft  was  foon  after  evident ;  as  the  army 
faved  by  thefe  means  flood  as  a  barrier  between 
the  inhabitants  and  General  Burgoyne.  This  abat- 
ed the  panic  of  the  people,  and  became  a  centre 
of  rendezvous,  to  which  they  repaired.  And,  when 
an  enquiry  into  his  behavior  took  place  after- 
wards, all  the  charges  againfl  him  were  found 
groundlefs,  and  he  was  honorably  acquitted.* 

THE  lofs  of  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Independ- 
ence furprized  General  Wamington,  and  fpread 
aflonimment  and  terror  through  the  New-England 
jftates.  But  though  the  afpecl  of  their  affairs 
was  exceedingly  threatening;  yet  inflead  of  finking 
under  the  apprehenfions  of  danger,  they  exerted 
themfelves  with  vigor  and  firmnefs  to  check  the 
progrefs  of  the  Britifh  invaders. f 

THE  inhabitants  of  the  New-England  flates 
were  affiduoufly  engaged  in  recruiting  their  army, 
and  fuch  numbers  of  volunteers  were  daily  added, 
that  the  people  began  to  recover  from  their  firft 
alarm.  It  was  early  conje&ured  that  the  royal 
Vol.  //./.jo— 35.  f 


390  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  1" 

1777.  army,  by  pushing  forward,  would  be  fo  entangled, 
as  not  to    be  able  to  advance  or   retreat,  on  equal 

terms. 

As    the  principal  force  of  the  American  army 

was  in   front,  between  General  Burgoyne  and  Al- 
bany, he   hoped,  by  advancing  to  them,  to  reduce 
them  to  the  neceility  of  righting,  or  of  retreating  to 
New-England.      In  the  march  of  the  Britilh  to- 
wards Albany,  feveral  actions  took  place  between 
them  and  the  American  army.     In  thefe  different 
fkirmimes,  the  regulars,  as  well  as   the  Indians  in 
their  intereft,    fuffered   very  confiderably.      The 
principal  action  happened  at  Bennington,    where 
the  Americans  had  collected  a  magazine  of  fup- 
plies,  which  was  guarded  only  by  militia.     In  or- 
der to  obtain  thefe  proviHons   for  his  army,  Gen. 
Burgoyne  detached  colonel  Baum,  with  only    500 
men,     100  Indians,  and  two  field  pieces,  which 
he  fuppofed  would  be  fufficient  for  the  expedition. 
When  colonel  Baum  approached  the  place   of  his 
deflinaticn,  he  found  the  American  militia  flrong- 
er  than  had  been  fuppofed.      He,  therefore,  took 
pod  in  the  vicinity,  entrenched  his  party,  and  dif- 
patched  an  exprefs  to   General  Burgoyne,  with  an 
account  of  his  fituation.      Colonel  Breyrnan  was 
detached  to  reinforce   him.     A  heavy  rain,  toge- 
ther with  the'  badnefs  of  the  roads,    prevented  his 
advance  to  Baum's  afliftance  with  difpatch.     Gen. 
Stark,  of  New-Hampfliire,  who  commanded  the 
American  militia  at   Bennington,   engaged    with 
the  Britifh,    before  the  junction  of  the  two  royal 
..ichments  could  be  effe&ed.     On  this  occafion, 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  391 

about  800  imdifciplined  militia,  without  bayonets,  1777. 
or  a  fmgle  piece  of  artillery,  attacked  and  routed 
500  regular  troops,  advantageoufly  polled  behind 
entrenchments,  furnifhed  with  the  bed  arms,  and 
defended  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.  The  field 
pieces  were  taken  from  the  party  commanded  by 
colonel  Baum,  and  the  greateit  part  of  his  detach- 
ment were  either  killed  or  wounded.  Colonel 
Breyman  arrived  on  the  fame  ground,  and  on  the 
fame  day  ;  but  after  the  action  was  over.  Inflead 
of  meeting  his  friends,  as  he  expected,  he  found 
himfelf  brifkly  attacked  ;  and  though  his  troops 
behaved  with  great  refolution,  they  were,  at  length 
compelled  to  abandon  their  artillery,  and  retreat. 

IN  thefe  two  actions  the  Americans  took  about 
700  prifoners ;  and  a  valuable  collection  of  mili- 
tary {tores.  Their  lofs,  inclufive  of  the  wounded, 
was  about  an  hundred  men.* 

TjgE  vittory  at  Bennington  gave  fpirits  and  ani- 
mation to  the  American  army,  and  occafioned  de- 
jection and  difmay  to  the  Britim.  Among  other 
embarraflments,  it  reduced  General  Burgoyne  to 
the  alternative  of  halting,  till  he  could  procure 
fupplies  from  Fort-George,  or  of  advancing  with- 
out them,  at  the  riik  of  being  ftarved.  The  former 
was  adopted,  and  the  progrefs  of  the  royal  army 
retarded  -,  which  gave  the  Americans  time  and  op- 
portunity to  collect  in  great  numbers. 

WHEN  General  Burgoyne  had  brought  forward 
from  Lake  George,  the  neceilary  (tores  for  thirty 
days  fubfiftence,  he  crofled  Hudfon's  river,  and  en- 

*  Gordon,  VoL  //./>.  538—541,     Ramfay,  Vol.  11,  p.  41 — 43. 


39i  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1777.  camped  on  the  heights,  about  two  miles  from  Gen. 

AxVN>/  Gates'  camp,  which  was  three  miles  above  Still- 
water.  The  Americans,  elated  by  their  fuccefs  at 
Bennington,  came  out  to  meet  the  advancing 

Sep. 1 9.  Britifh,  and  engaged  them  with  firmnefs  and  refo* 
lution.  In  this  a&ion  a  continual  blaze  of  fire 
was  kept  up,  and  both  armies  Teemed  to  be  deter- 
mined on  death  or  victory.  The  Americans  and 
Britifh  alternately  drove  and  were  driven  by  each 
other.  Men,  and  particularly  officers,  dropped 
every  moment,  and  on  every  fide,  The  Britiili 
loft  upwards  of  500  men,  including  their  killed, 
wounded  and  prifoners.  The  Americans,  mclufive 
of  the  miffing,  loft  3 19.* 

THIS  battle  decided  nothing ;  however,  it 
caufed  a  diminution  of  the  zeal  and  alacrity  of  the 
Indians  in  the  Britifh  fervice  ;  and  they  deferted 
In  great  numbers.  General  Burgoyne  was  alfo 
highly  mortified  at  having  no  intelligence  of  the 
(tipulated  ailiftance  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  .  He 
now  received  a  letter  from  him,  by  which  he  was 
informed,  that  Sir  Henry  intended  to  make  a  di- 
verlion  on  the  North-river  in  his  favor.  In  an- 
fwer  to  this  communication,  he  difpatched  fome 
trufty  perfons,  with  a  full  account  of  his  diftrefTed 
filiation,  and  with  inflruclions  to  prefs  the  imme- 
diate execution  of  the  propofed  co-operation  ;  and 
to  affure  General  Clinton  that  he  was  not  able,  in 
point  of  provifions3  to  maintain  his  prefent  pofition 
only  till  the  rath  of  O6lober.f 

*  Rawj+?t   1'cL  II.  p.  45,  46.      f  Hid,  p,   47. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  393 

THE  army  under  General  Burgoyne  continued  1777. 
to  labor  under  the  greateft  diftreiTes  ;  fu   that   in  oa.  t, 
the  beginning  of  Oclober  he  had   been  obliged  to 
diminifli  the  allowance  of  the  foldiers.     On  the 
7th  of  the  month,  the  general  determined  to  move 
towards  the,  Americans.     For  this  purpofe  he  fent 
a  body   of  1500  men,   to  reconnoitre  their  left 
wing  ;  intending,  if  poflible,  to  break  through  it$ 
in   order  to   effecl  a  retreat*      The   detachment, 
however,  had  not  proceeded   far,  when  a  violent 
attack  was  made  on  the  left  wing  of  the  Britifh 
army,  which  was    with  great   difficulty   preferved 
from  being  entirely  broken,  by  a  reinforcement 
brought  up  by  General  Frafer,  who  was  killed  in 
the  attack.     After  the  troops   had,  with  the  moft 
defperate  efforts,  regained  their  camp,  it  was  fu- 
rioufly  aiTaulted  by  Gen.    Arnold,  who,  notwith- 
ilanding  all  oppofition,  would  have  forced  the  en- 
trenchments, had   he  not  received   a  dangerous 
wound,  which  obliged  him  to  retire.     Thus  the 
attack  failed  on  the  left ;  but  on  the   right,  the 
camp  of  the  German   referve    was  forced  by  the 
Americans.      The  regiment  of  col.  M.  Jackfon, 
who  was  then  confined  by  a  wound,  led  on  by 
lieut.  col.  Brooks  and  major  Hull,  made  the  firft 
fuccefsful   imprefTion    on  that  part  of  the  lines. 
Col.  Breyman  was  killed,  and  his  countrymen  de- 
feated with  great  {laughter.    ,  Nine  pieces  of  brafs 
artillery,  with  all  their  baggage,  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  vi&ors.     The  day  was  fatal  to  many  brave 
men.     Among  the  flain  General  Frafer,  on  ac- 
fi  *t 


394  H  I  S  T  O  ft  Y    O  1> 

1777.  count  of  his  diftinguiflied  merit,  was  the  fubject 
of  particular  regret.  General  Burgoyne  had  a 
narrow  efcape  ;  a  fliot  paffed  through  his  hat,  and 
another  through  his  waifkoat.  The  officers  and 
privates,  taken  by  the  Americans,  amounted  to 
more  than  two  hundred  ;  but  their  own  lofk  was 
inconfiderable.* 

THE  royal  troops  were  under  arms  the  whole 
of  the  next  day,  in  expectation  of  another  action  5 
but  nothing  more  than  fkir  mimes  took  place.  At 
this  time,  General  Lincoln,  when  reconnoitring^ 
received  a  dangerous  wound  ;  an-  event,  which  was 
greatly  regretted,  as  he  poffeffed  much  of  the  ef* 
teem  and  confidence  of  the  American  army, 

ALL  this  time  the  Amerkan  army  was  inereaf* 
mg,-  by  the  continual  arrival  of  militia  and  volun* 
teers  from  all  parts,  particularly  from  New-Eng- 
land. The  fit-uation  of  the  royal  army  was  truly 
•difireffing.  General  Bargoyne  was  eneamp-ed  at 
Saratoga,  where  he  was  inverted  by  an  army  near- 
ly three  times  the  number  of  his  forces,  without 
a  pofiibility  of  retreat,  or  of  repleniihing  their  ex- 
haufted  flock  of  provifions. 

OH  the  1 3th  of  October,  he  found  that  his 
troops  had  only  fcanty  fubfiSence  tor  three  days, 
and  na  profpetl  of  fpeedy  ailiitance.  In  this  em- 
barrafling  fituation,  he  called  a  council  of  war, 
which  comprehended  generals,  field-officers  and 
captains.  There  was  not  a  fpot  of  ground  in  the 
whole  camp,  but  what  was  expofed  to  cannon  or 
rifle  mot.  Whilft  the  council  was  delibeiating, 

*  Ramfayt    VoL  11.  j>,  47,43.     Lsndrum>  Vol.  11.  />,    1-7. 


N  E  W -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  395 

an  eighteen  pound  ball  crofled  the  table.  By  1777. 
the  unanimous  advice  of  the  council,  the  general 
was  induced  to  open  a  treaty  with  Gen.  Gates, 
The  firft  propofals  of  the  latter  were  rejected; 
and  the  fixth  article  with  difdain,  wherein  it  was 
required,  that  the  Britifh  army  mould  lay  down 
their  arms  in  their  entrenchments.  Burgoyne's 
counter  propofals  were  unanimouily  approved,  and 
being  fent  to  Gates,  were  agreed  to  on  the  ifth, 
without  any  material  alteration,* 

SOON    after   the   convention  was   figned,    the 
Americans  marched  into  their  lines,    and  were 
kept  there  till  the  royal  army  had  depofited  their 
•arms  at  the  place  appointed.      Dr.   Ramfay  ob* 
ferves,  that  ^  the   delicacy  with  which  this  bufi- 
nefs  was  conduced,  reflected  the  higheft  honor 
on   the  American  general.     Nor  did  the  polite* 
nefs  of  Gates  end  here.     Every  circumflance  was 
withheld,  that  could  conftitute  a  triumph  in  the 
American    army.      The  captive  general   was  re- 
ceived by  his  conqueror  with  refpect  and  kind- 
nefs.     A  number  of  the  principal  officers  of  both 
armies,  met  at  General  Gates'  quarters,  and,  for 
a  while,  feemed   to   forget,  in  focial  and  convivi- 
al pleafures,  that  they  had  been  enemies."! 

THE  number  of  thofe,  who  furrendered  at  Sara- 
toga, amounted  to  5791  ;  which  was  very  far 
iliort  of  their  number  \vhen  fetting  out  from  Cana- 
da. The  Americans  alfo  captured  a  great  varie- 
ty of  valuable  military  ftores,  including  thirty-five 
pieces  of  brafs  ordnance,  of  fingular  excellence, 

yoL  //./.  572,       f  R<imfcryt  Foi   //,  /»,  53, 


396  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

The  American  forces,  at  the  time  of  the  conven- 
tion,  were  in  all  13,222,  of  which  4129  were 
militia.  The  total  lofs  of  the  Britifh,  by  this 
expedition,  was  9213.* 

IN  the  mean  time  an  expedition  was  ma*!e  up 
the  North-river,  in  order  to  divert  part  of  the 
American  force  from  the  fide  of  Canada,  by  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  who  had  been  left  in  command 
at  New-York.  In  this  excurfion,  Gen.  Vaughan 
burnt  Efopus,  a  fine  flourifhing  village  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Sifliwater, 

THE  furrender  of  Saratoga  forms  a  memorable 
era  in  the  American  war.  This  event  caufed  great 
grief  and  dejection  in  Britain,  whilft  it  animated 
and  encouraged  the  Americans  ;  and  the  eclat  of 
capturing  a  large  army  of  Britifh  and  German 
troops,  foon  procured  them  powerful  friends  in 
Europe.f 

DURING  the  three  preceding  years,  the  Amer- 
icans had  refitted  the  arbitrary  meafures  of  Britain 
\vith  the  fword,  without  the  affiftance  of  any  for- 
eign power.  In  the  firft  year,  they  had  exhibited 
undaunted  courage  in  the  battles  of  LexL^ton  and 
BunkerVhill— blockaded  the  regular  army  in  Bof- 
tori — expelled  the  royal  governors,  and  repelled 
the  attempts  of  the  Britifh  againft  the  fouthern 
colonies.  In  the  year  1776,  animated  with  hero- 
ic fortitude,  they  renounced  their  allegiance  to 
Britain,  and  declared  independence.  In  the  mofl; 
gloomy  fituatioa  of  affairs,  during  this  event- 
ful year,  we  find  the  Americans,  infpired  with  an, 

,  Vtl<  n.  p.  577.       f  Ram/ay,  /«/.  //.  p,  56, 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  397 

i 

unconquerable  fpirit  of  liberty,  perfift   in  defend- 
ing their  recently  affumed  independence   with  the 
fword.     In   1777,  their  affairs  began  to  wear  a 
brighter  afpect.    The  victory  of  Bennington  paved 
the  way  for  the  capture  of  Burgoyne's  army  ;  and 
the  capture  of  his  army  was  the  event,  which  pro* 
cured  them  foreign  affi (lance  in  the  fubfequent  year. 
It  appears,  from  this  imperfect  review,  that,  un- 
der Heaven,  the  bleflings  of  liberty  and  independ* 
ence  were,  chiefly,  purchafed  by  the  wife  counfels, 
the  undaunted  refolution,  and  the  energetic  exertions 
of  the  Americans.     However,  their  fuccefs  ought 
ever  ultimately  to   be  afcribed  to  the  good  provi- 
dence of  the   LORD.     From   the   firft  fettlement, 
no  nation  had  ever  experienced   more  extraordi- 
nary interpofitions  of  Providence  than  America  ; 
and  at  no  period  were  thofe,   interpofitions  more 
fmgularly  viftbie,  than  during  the  controverfy  with 
Britain. 


3')3  HISTORY  O 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

'Treaty  between  France  and  America.  Lord  North's 
conciliatory  bills.  Britijh  comimfjioners  are  font 
to  negotiate  a  peace.  'Their  terms  are  rejected 
by  congrefs.  The  royal  army  burn  fart  of  Warren 
and  BriJloL  French  fleet  arrives  in  America. 
Philadelphia  evacuated.  The  battle  of  Freehold^ 
or  Monmoutb.  Congrefs  gives  public  qudience  to 
aminifter  plenipotentiary  from  the  courf  of  France. 
Narrow  efcape  of  the  Britijh  fleet.  The  Amcri* 
cans  make  an  unfuccefsful  attempt  to  regain  Rhode- 
I/land.  Predatory  excurjions  of  the  Briiijh. 
Their  fuccefeful  expedition  again/I  Georgia.  Re* 
forms  made  in  the  American  army. 


s 


'OON  after  the  intelligence  of  the 
capture  of  Burgoyne  reached  Europe,  the  king 
of  France  concluded  treaties  of  alliance  and  com- 
merce with  the  United  States,  at  Paris.  This 
important  tranfaction  was  the  fruit  of  long  nego- 
tiation. The  policy  of  Great-Britain,  in  attempt- 
ing to  deprive  the  Americans  of  linns,  was  the 
firft  event,  which  rendered  it  neceflary  for  them  to 
feek  foreign  afiifiance.  The  evident  advantage, 
which  France  might  derive  from  the  continuance 
of  the  difpute,  and  the  countenance,  which  individ- 
.  :.  of  that  country  daily  gave  the  Americans, 
.  our  aged  co:  -  fend  a  political  and  com- 


N  E  W  -  K  N  G  L  A  N  IX  399 

mercial  agent  to  that  kingdom,  with  mftru&lons  to  1777. 
folicit  its  friendfhip,  and  to  procure  military  (lores.  ^"^ 
Silas  Deane,  being  chofen  for  this  purpofe>  failed 
for  France  early  in  1776,  and  was  fodn  after  his 
arrival  infhucled  to  found  count  de  Vergennes, 
the  French  minider  tor  foreign  affairs,  on  the  iub- 
jecl  of  the  American  controverfy.*  In  the  month 
of  June,  Mr.  Deane  obtained  a  fupply  of  arms, 
ammunition  and  foldiers'  clothing,  fufficier.t  for 
loading  three  veflels.  It  is  not  yet  publicly  known 
what  agency  the  court  of  France  had  in  furnifhing 
thefe  fupplies,  or  whether  they  were  fold  or  given 
as  prefents.  However,  during  the  whole  negocia- 
tion,  Great-Britain  was»amufed  with  declarations 
of  the  moft  pacific  difpofitions  on  the  part  of 
France,  whilft  the  Americans  were  fupplied  with 
the  means  of  defence. 

CONGRESS  having  agreed  upon  the  plan  of  the 
treaty,  which  they  intended  to  propofe  to  his  moft 
chriftian  majefty,  elected  Dr.  Franklin,  Silas 
Deane,  and  Arthur  Lee,  to  folicit  its  acceptance. 
The  three  agents  having  rendezvoufed  at  Paris, 
opened  their  bufmefs  in  a  private  audience  with 
count  de  Vergennes  on  the  28th  of  December, 
1776.  Though  a  diminution  of  the  exorbitant 
power  of  Britain  could  not  fail  to  be  highly  agree- 
able to  France,  yet  prudence  and  policy  forbad  that 
nation  to  be  precipitate  in  openly  efpoufing  the 
American  caufe. 

HENCE  they  artfully  avoided  either  difcouraging 
the  Americans,  or  alarming  the  rulers  of  Great- 

*   Rum/ay,  VoL  IL  />.  59. 


400  HISTORY    O£ 

1777.  Britain.  Private  encouragement,  and  public  di£ 
countenance  were  given  alternately,  but  both  va- 
ried ,  according  to  the  complexion  of  news  from 
America.* 

AT  this  period  con-grefs  did  not  fo  much  ex- 
pect any  direct  afliftance  from  France,  as  the  indi- 
rect relief  of  a  war  between  that  country  and 
Great-Britain.  Hence,  they  refolved,  that  "  their 
commiffioners  at  the  court  of  France  ffiould  be 
furnifhed  with  warrants  and  commhTions,  and  au- 
thorized to  arm  and  fit  for  war  in  the  French 
ports,  any  number  of  veffels,  not  exceeding  fix,  at 
the  expence  of  the  United  States,  to  war  upon 
Britifh  property,  provided  they  were  fatisfied  this 
ineafure  would  not  be  difagreeable  to  the  court  of 
France."  This  refolution  was  carried  into  eifecl. 
In  the  year  1777,  marine  officers,  with  American 
commiflions,  both  failed  out  of  French  ports,  and 
carried  prizes  of  Britifli  property  into  them.  They 
could  not  procure  their  condemnation  in  the  courts 
of  France,  nor  fell  them  publicly  ;  but  they  found 
means  to  turn  them  into  mcney.f 

IN  the  mean  time  the  American  commiffioners 
were  urging  the  acceptance  of  the  treaty  propofed 
by  congrefs.  The  French  flill  refufed  to  acl  open- 
ly and  decidedly  in  their  favor ;  and  matters  re- 
mained in  a  fluctuating  (late,  till  the  capture  of 
Burgoyne  turned  the  fcale.  This  great  event  con- 
vinced them  that  there  was  the  utinoft  probability 
that  the  united  energetic  efforts  of  the  American3; 

*  Ramjay,  Vol.  II  p.  63.     j  Ibid. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  401 

Would  finally  be  fuccefsful.      The  French  court  1777. 
was,  therefore,  determined  to  efpoufe  their  caufe.*    "^^ 

THE  commiffioners  of  congrefs  were  informed 
by  M.  Gerard,  one  of  the  fecretaries  of  the  king's 
council  of  ftate,  "  that  it  Was  decided  to  acknow- 
ledge the  independence  of  the  United  States,  and 
to  make  a  treaty  with  them.  That  no  advan- 
tage would  be  taken  of  their  fituation,  but  the 
terms  of  the  treaty  mould  be  fuch  as  the  new 
formed  flates  would  be  willing  to  agree  to,  if  ef- 
tablimed  in  ftrength  and  power.  That  his  mod 
chriftian  majefly  was  fixed  in  his  determination, 
not  only  to  acknowledge,  but  to  fupport  their  inde- 
pendence. That  in  doing  this,  he  might  probably 
foon  be  engaged  in  a  war  ;  yet  he  mould  not  expeft 
any  compenfation  from  the  United  States,  on  that 
account,  nor  was  it  pretended  that  he  afted  wholly 
for  their  fakes  >  fince^  bejides  his  real  good  will  to 
them,  it  was  manifeftly  the  inter  eft  of  France,  that  the 
power  of  England  Jhould  be  diminijhed^  by  thefepara- 
tion  of  the  colonies  from  its  government.  The  only 
condition  he  fhould  require,  and  rely  on,  would 
be,  that  the  United  States,  in  no  peace  to  be  made, 
mould  give  up  their  independence,  and  return  to 
the  obedience  of  the  Britiih  government."! 

CONFORMABLY  to  the  preliminaries   propofed  1778. 
by  M.  Gerard,   his  mod  chriftian  majefty,  Louis  ^^^ 
XVI.    on  the    6th   of    February,    entered   into 
treaties  of  amity  and  commerce  with   the  United 
States  of  America,  on  the   footing  of  the  mod: 

*  Ramfay:  7ol.  11,  p.  64,     -\  Ibid,  j>.  66. 
C  c  c 


402  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1778.  perfect  equality  and  reciprocity.  On  the  third  of 
May,  Mr.  Simeon  Deane  arrived  in  America  with 
difpatches  from  France,  and  the  treaties  were  re- 
ceived by  congrefs  with  inexpreflible  joy. 

THE  congrefs,  after  receiving  the  treaties,  had 
a  flronger  feeling  of  their  own  importance  than  be- 
fore, and  refolved  that  "  the  commiffioners  ap- 
pointed for  the  courts  of  Spain,  Tufcany,  Vienna 
and  Berlin,  mould  live  in  fuch  ftyle  and  manner  at 
their  refpe&ive  courts,  as  they  may  find  fuitable 
and  neceffary  to  fupport  the  dignity  of  their  public 
charafter."* 

AFTER  the  alliance  between  France  and  the 
United  States  was  made  known  to  the  Britifh  min- 
iftry,  Lord  North  introduced  his  conciliatory  pro- 
pofitions,  which  were  founded  on  the  idea  of  ob- 
taining a  reunion  of  the  new  ftates  with  Great- 
Britain.  The  conciliatory  bills  were  fpeedily  fol- 
lowed by  royal  commiflioners,  deputed  to  folicit 
their  reception.  Governor  Johnftone,  Lord  Car- 
liile,  and  Mr.  Eden>  appointed  to  this  bufmefs, 
attempted  to  open  a  negotiation  on  the  fubjech 
Previoufly  to  the  arrival-  of  the  Britifh  commifiion- 
ers,  and  before  they  were  informed  of  the  treaty, 
which  was  concluded  at  France,  congrefs  had  given 
a  decided  negative  to  the  overtures  contained  in 
the  conciliatory  bills.  There  was  therefore  no 
ground  left  for  further  deliberation. 

IN  addition  to  his  public  exertions  as  commil- 
fioner,  governor  Johnftone  opened  a  correfpond- 
ence  with  certain  members  of  congrefs,  in  order  to 

*  Ramfay*  Vol.  11  p.  74* 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  403 

corrupt  them.      Private  information  was  commu-  1778. 
nicated  to  Jofeph  Reed,  Efq.  that  it  had  been  in-  *^^ 
tended  to  offer  him,  in  cafe  of  his  exerting  his  abil- 
ities to  promote  a  reunion  of  the  two  countries, 
ten  thoufand  pounds  flerling,  and  any  office  in  the 
colonies  in  his  majefty's  gift.     To  which  Mr.  Reed 
replied,  "  I  am  not  worth  pui chafing  ;    but  fuch 
as  I  am,  the  king  of  Great-Britain  is   not  rich 
enough  to  do  it.'** 

AFTER  the  comrhiffioners  found  all  their  at- 
tempts to  negociate  with  congrefs  ineffectual,  they 
endeavoured  to  perfuade  the  inhabitants  to  adopt  a 
line  of  conduct  oppofite  to  that  of  their  reprefenta- 
tives.  Their  propofals  were  not  more  favorably 
received  by  the  people  than  they  had  been  by 
congrefs.  In  no  one  place,  not  immediately  com- 
manded by  the  Britifh  army,  was  there  any  attempt 
to  accept,  or  even  to  deliberate,  on  the  propriety 
of  clofmg  with  the  offers  of  Britain. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  thefe  pacific  negociations 
on  the  part  of  the  Britifh,  the  royal  troops  con- 
tinued their  devaluations  by  fire  and  fword.  In 
one  of  their  excurfions  from  Philadelphia,  they 
proceeded  to  Bordentown,  and  there  burnt  a  num- 
ber of  vefTels  and  ftore-houfes.  Soon  after,  500 
Britifh  and  Hcflians,  under  the  command  of  lieu- 
tenant-colonel Campbell,  made  an  excurfion  from  May  25. 
Newport.  This  party  deftroyed  a  number  of  boats, 
burnt  the  meeting-houfe  in  Warren,  the  church  in 
Briftol,  and  a  number  of  buildings  in  each  town.f 

*  Romfig,    Vol.il.},  78,     f  ##,  f.  81, 


404  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  OF 

1778.  A  FRENCH  fquadron,  of  twelve  fhips  of  the 
^^^  line  and  four  frigates,  commanded  by  Count 
D'Eftaing,  failed  from  Toulon  for  America,  in, 
about  two  months  after  the  treaty  had  been  agreed 
upon  between  the  United  States  and  the  king  of 
France.  After  a  paflage  of  eighty-feven  days,  the 
count  arrived  at  the  entrance  of  the  Delaware. 
From  an  apprehenfion  of  fomething  of  this  kind, 
and  from  the  profpect  of  greater  fecurity,  it  was 
refolved  in  Great-Britain  immediately  to  evacuate 
Philadelphia,  and  to  concentrate  the  royal  force 
in  the  city  and  harbor  of  New-York.* 
Jon. 1 8.  THE  royal  army  parTed  over  the  Delaware,  in» 
to  New-Jerfey.  General  Wamington,  having  pen- 
etrated into  their  defign  of  evacuating  PhiladeU 
phia,  had  previoufly  detached  Gen.  Maxwell's 
brigade,  to  co-operate  with  the  Jerfey  militia,  in 
obflrufting  their  progrefs,  till  he  could  overtake 
them  with  his  army.  This  detachment  was  after- 
wards (lengthened  by  a  body  of  600  men,  under 
col.  Morgan.f 

AFTER  various  movements  on  both  fides,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  with  the  royal  army,  arrived  at 
a  place  called  Freehold,  where  judging  the  Amer* 
leans  would  attack  him,  he  encamped  in  a  very 
ftrong  fituation.  When  General  Wafhington  was 
informed  that  his  army  had  begun  their  march,  he 
fent  orders  to  Gen.  Lee  (who  having  been  lately 
exchanged,  had  joined  the  army)  to  move  on  and 
Attack  them,  unlefs  there  fhould  be  very  powerful 

*  Gordon*  I'oi,  IL  t>.  369,       |  Raxi/af,  Fsl.   11.  /,  83, 


NEW-ENGLAND.  405 

reafons  to  the  contrary  ;  acquainting   him,  at  the  1778. 
fame  time,  that  he  was  marching  to  fupport  him. 

WHEN  General  Washington  had  marched  about 
five  miles,  to  fupport  the  advanced  corps,  he  found 
the  whole  of  it  retreating,  by  Lee's  orders,  and 
without  having  made  any  oppofition  of  confe- 
quence.  General  Wafhington  rode  up  to  Lee,  and 
propofed  certain  queftions  to  him,  which  implied 
cenfure,  Lee  anfwered  with  warmth,  and  unfuit- 
able  language.  Part  of  the  retreating  troops  were 
then  formed  by  the  general  with  the  utmoft  expe- 
dition. By  their  fpirited  conduct  they  checked 
the  advance  of  the  Britifh  army  ;  and,  at  length, 
compelled  them  to  retire  behind  the  defile,  where 
the  firfl  (land  in  the  beginning  of  the  action  had 
been  made.* 

GENERAL  Wafhington  intended  to  have  renew* 
ed  the  engagement  the  next  day  ;  but  the  Britifh 
troops  marched  away  in  the  night,  without  the 
lofs  of  either  their  covering  party  or  baggage ; 
and  with  fuch  filence,  that  General  Poor,  who 
lay  very  near  them,  knew  nothing  of  their  move- 
ments, till  it  was  too  late  to  urge  a  purfuit.f 

THE  lofs  of  the  Americans,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  was  about  250,  Col.  Bonner,  of  Penn- 
fylvania,  and  major  Dickenfon,  of  Virginia,  offi- 
cers highly  efteemed  by  their  country,  fell  in  this 
engagement,  The  lofs  of  the  j'oyal  army,  inclu- 
five  of  prifoners,  was  about  350, 

IN  this  action,  General  Lee  was  charged  by 
General  Wafhington  with  difobedience  and  mif- 

*  Wajkingtinli  Letters,  fa/,/./.  275.       f  Ramjay. 


HISTORY    OF 

1778.  conduct,    in  retreating  before  the  Britifh  army. 

^^  He  was  tried  by  a  court  martial,  and  fentenced 
to  be  fufpended  from  his  command  in  the  Amer- 
ican army  for  twelve  months.  Previoufly  to  .this 
battle,  Lee's  conduft  at  feveral  times  had  been 
very  fufpicious ;  and  it  was  fufpecled  he  had  form- 
ed defigns  to  fupplant  General  Wafhington,  and 
that  his  friends  attempted  to  place  him  at  the 
head  of  the  army.* 

Jan.  50.  THE  Britifh  army  purfued  their  march  without 
any  interruption  to  the  neighborhood  of  Sandy- 
Hook,  and  on  the  5th  of  July  crofted  the  narrow 
channel  to  Sandy-Hook  on  a  bridge  of  boats,  and 
were  afterwards  fafely  conveyed  to  New- York. 

SOON  after  the  battle  of  Freehold,  or  Mon- 
mouth,  as  it  is  fometimes  called,  the  American 
army  took  poft  at  the  White  Plains,  a  few  miles 
beyond  King's  Bridge  ;  and  the  Britifh,  though 
only  a  few  miles  diftant,  did  not  moled  them. 
They  remained  in  this  pofition  from  an  early  day 
in  July,  till  a  late  one  in  autumn,  and  then  the 
Americans  retired  to  Middle  Brook,  in  New-Jer- 
fey,  where  they  remained  in  huts,  as  they  had 
done  at  Valley  Forge,  the  preceding  winter. 

IMMEDIATELY  on  the  departure  of  the  Britifh 
from  Philadelphia,  congrefs,  after  an  abfence  of 
nine  months,  returned  to  the  former  feat  of  their 
deliberations.  Soon  after  their  return,  they  were 
called  upon  to  give  a  public  audience  to  a  minif- 
ter  plenipotentiary  from  the  court  of  France. 
The  perfon  appointed  to  this  office,  was  M.  Ger- 
*  Leg's  7**>mdirit  p.,  16  —  1 8.  Gordon,  Vol.  II.  f.  379. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  407 

ard,  the  fame,  who  had  been  employed  in  thene*  1778. 
gociations,  antecedent  to  the  treaty.  Dr.  Ramfay 
obierves,  that  "  the  arrival  and  reception  of  a 
minifter  from  France,  made  a  ftrong  impreffion 
on  the  minds  of  the  Americans.  They  felt  the 
weight  and  importance,  to  which  they  were  rifeu 
among  nations.  That  the  fame  fpot,  which,  in 
lefs  than  a  century,  had  been  the  refidence  of 
favages,  mould  become  the  theatre,  on  which 
the  reprefentatives  of  a  new,  free  and  civilized 
nation,  gave  a  public  audience  to  a  minifter  ple- 
nipotentiary from  one  of  the  oldelt  and  moft 
•powerful  kingdoms  of  Europe,  afforded  ample 
materials  for  philofophic  contemplation.  That 
in '  lefs  than  three  years  from  the  day,  on  which 
an  anfwer  was  refufed  by  Great-Britain,  to  the 
united  (applications  of  the  colonifls,  praying  for 
peace,  liberty  and  fafety,  they  mould,  as  an  inde- 
pendent people,  be  honored  with  the  refidence  of 
a  minifter  from  the  court  of  France,  exceeded  the 
expectation  of  the  moft  fanguine  Americans.  The 
patriots  of  the  new  world  revolved  in  their  minds 
thefe  tranfactions,  with  heart-felt  fatisfaction  ;  while 
the  devout  were  led  to  admire  that  Providence, 
which  had,  in  fo  (hort  a  fpace,  ftationed  the  Unit- 
ed States  among  the  powers  of  the  earth,  and 
clothed  them  in  robes  of  fovereignty."* 

THE  Briiifh  had  but  barely  completed  the  re- 
moval of  their  fleet  and  army  from  the  Delaware 
and  Philadelphia,  to  the  harbor  and  city  of  New- 
York,  when  they  received  intelligence,  that  a 

*   Ramfay,  Vol.  II.  f.  87. 


40$  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   O  F 

1778.  French  fleet,  which  was  commanded  by  Count 
D'Eftamg,  was  on  the  coafl  of  America.  Their 
firft  object  was  the  furprize  of  Lord  Howe's  fleet 
in  the  Delaware  ;  but  they  arrived  too  late.  The 
capture  of  the  Britifh  fleet  was  prevented,  by  the 
various  hindrances  which  retarded  D'Eftaing  on 
his  voyage  to  the  term  of  eighty-feven  days,  in 
the  laft  eleven  of  which  Lord  Howe's  fleet  not 
only  quitted  the  Delaware,  but  reached  the  har- 
bor of  New- York.* 

THE  next  attempt  of  Count  D'Eftaing  was 
againft  Rhode-Ifland,  of  which  the  Britifh  had  been 
in  pofleflion  fmce  December,  1776.  A  combined 
attack  againft  it  was  projected,  and  it  was  agreed 
that  General  Sullivan  fliould  command  the  Ame- 
rican land  forces.  Such  was  the  eagernefs  of  the 
people  to  co-operate  with  their  new  allies,  and  fo 
confident  were  they  of  fuccefs,  that  fome  thoufands 
of  volunteers  engaged  in  the  fervice.  The  militia 
of  MafTachufetts  were  under  the  command  of  major- 
general  John  Hancock.  The  royal  troops  on  the 
jfland,  having  been  lately  reinforced,  were  about 
6060.  General  Sullivan  having  collected  about 
10,000  men,  of  whom  one  half  at  lead  were  volun- 
teers from  New-England  and  Connecticut,  patted 
over  into  the  ifland  on  the  8th  of  Auguft,  at  the 
fame  time  the  French  fleet  entered  the  harbor  of 
Newport.! 

LORD  Howe  received  intelligence  of  the  danger 
which  threatened  Rhode-Ifland,  and  haftened  to  its 
relief.  On  the  appearance  of  Lord  Howe,  the 

*  Ramjay,  lrol.  U,  p.  87.     f  Gordon,      I'd.  11  j>.  383. 


NEW-ENGLAN  IX  409 

French  admiral  put  out  to  fea  with  his  whole  fleet,  1778. 
to  attack  him.  The  engagement  was  prevented  by 
a  violent  temped,  by  which  both  fleets  were  great- 
ly damaged.  The  Britim  fuffered  lefs  in  the  dorm 
than  their  adverfaries,  yet  enough  to  render  it  ne* 
ceflary  for  them  to  return  to  New- York,  for  the 
purpofe  of  refitting.  The  French  fleet  returned  to 
Newport,  in  a  very  mattered  condition,  on  the 
2oth  of  Auguft  ;  and  two  days  after,  count  D' 
Eftaing  failed  for  Bofton,  in  order  to  refit  his 
ihips.* 

IN  the  mean  time  General  Sullivan  had  com- 
menced his  military  operations.  But  General  Pi- 
got,  who  commanded  the  Britifh  garrifon,  in 
Rhode-Iiland,  had  taken  fuch  meafures,  that  with- 
out the  afliftance  of  a  marine  force,  it  was  impoi- 
fibie  to  attack  him  with  any  probability  of  fuccefs. 
The  conduct  of  D'Eftaing,  who  had  abandoned 
them  when  matter  of  the  harbor,  highly  irritated 
the  people  of  New-England,  and  occafioned  fuch 
numbers  of  the  difcontented  militia  to  return  home, 
that  the  regular  army,  which  remained  was  in  dan- 
ger of  being  cut  off  from  a  retreat. 

IN  thefe  embarrafling  circumilances,  General  Aug. 
Sullivan  retreated  to  the  north  end  of  the  ifland  ; 
where  his  troops  were  foon  difcovered,  and  fired 
upon  by  the  Britim.  In  the  firft  inftance,  thefe 
light  troops  were  compelled  by  fuperior  numbers 
to  give  way,  but  they  kept  up  a  retreating  fire.  On 
being  reinforced,  they  gave  their  purfuers  a  check, 
and  at  length  repulfed  them.  By  degrees  the  ac- 

*  Ram/ay.  Fol.  //.  p.  89. 

D  D  d 


4io  HIST  DRY    OF 

1778.  tion  became  in  fome  refpecls  general,  and   neat 


1200  Americans  were  engaged.     The  lofs  on  each 
fide  was  between  2  and  300.* 

LORD  Howe's  fieet,  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and 
about  4000  troops  on  board,  being  feen  off  the 
eoaft,  General  Sullivan  concluded  immediately  to 
evacuate  Rhode-Ifland.  He  retreated  in  excellent 
order,  without  leaving  a  rnan  behind,  or  lofmg  a 
fingle  article. 

Sep.  5.  SIR  Henry  Clinton,  finding  that  the  Americans 
*~^J  had  left  Rhode-Ifland,  returned  to  New-York,  but 
directed  General  Grey  to  proceed  to  Bedford,  in 
Maflach-ufetts,  and  the  neighborhood  ,  where  fevers! 
American  privateers  reforted.  On  the  5th  of  Sep- 
tember, this  party  landed,  and  in  a  few  hours  de- 
ft-royed  feventy  fail  of  flapping.  They  a'lfo  burnt 
wharves,  ftores,  yeflels  on  the  flocks,  and  a  con- 
fkkrable  number  of  dwelling-h'oufes.  The  build- 
ings burnt  at  this  place,  were  eltimated  to  be 
worth  2o,oool.  flerling. 

ABOUT  this  time  a  difaflrous  event  occurred. 
Colonel  Baylor,  with  his  regiment,  was  furprized 
and  barbaroufly  put  to  the  bayonet  on  an  ad- 
vanced poft,  by  major-general  Grey,  after  they 
Mad  fued  for  quarter.f 

Nov.  27.  THE  campaign  in  the  northern  ftates  having 
produced  nothing  advantageous  to  the  Britifh,  and 
the  winter  being  the  proper  feaibn  for  fouthern  ex- 
peditions, Sir  Henry  Clinton  concluded  upon  turn- 
ing his  arms  againft  Georgia.  This  expeditioh 
was  committed  to  colonel  Campbell,  an  officer  of 

*&»mjaj,  /W>.  11,  p.  02,     Gut-dent  Vt-L  //.  /.  406,   -j- 
V 


NE  WVEN  G  L  AND.  411 

known   courage  and  ability.      He   embarked  at  1778. 
New- York  for  Savannah,   with  a  force    of  about 
2000  men,  efcorted'by  a  fmall  fquadron  of  ftiips 
of  war,  commanded  by  commodore  Hyde  Parker. 
Major-general  Prevoft,  who  commanded  the  royal 
forces   in    Eaft-Florida,   was   directed  *to  advance 
with  them  into  the  fouthern  extremity  of  Georgia. 
The  fleet,  that  failed  from  New-York  in  about  three 
weeks,  effected  a  landing,  near  the  mouth  o/the  ri- 
ver Savannah.     The  continental  army,    to  whom 
the  defence  of  Georgia  was  entrufted,  had  lately 
returned  from   a   fruitiefs    fummer's    expedition 
againfl  Eaft-Florida,  in  which  they  fuffered  fo  great 
a  diminution,  that,  joined  with  the  flate   militia, 
then  prefent,  the  whole  amounted  only  to  about  820 
men.   Gen.  Howe,  the  American  officer,  who  com- 
manded the  forces  in  Georgia,  pofled  his  army  be- 
tween the   landing-place,  and  the  town  of  Savan- 
nah, with   the  river  on  his  left,  and  a  morafs  in 
front.     Whilfl  col.  Campbell  was  making  the  ne- 
ceiTary  arrangements  for  diflodging  the  enemy,  he 
received     intelligence    of  a   private  path   in  the 
fvvamp,  through  which  the  Britifh  might  pafs  un* 
obferved,  and  attack  the  rear  of  the  American  ar- 
my.   As  foon    as  a  number  of  his   troops  had 
availed  themfelves  of  this  advantage,  the  Britifh  in 
front  of  the   continental  army  were  directed  to  ad- 
vance and  engage.  Gen.  Howe,  finding  himfelf  at- 
tacked in  the  rear,  as  well  as  in  the  front,  ordered 
an  immediate  retreat.     The  Britifh  purfued  with 
great  rapidity,  and  gained  a  complete  victory.   -Up- 
wards of  IOQ  of  the  Americans  were  killed,  -  Thir- 


4ia  HIS  TO  R  Y    OF 

1778.  ty-eight  officers,  415  privates,  48  pieces  of  can- 
iiori,  23  mortars,  the  fort,  with  its  ammunition 
and  (lores,  the  iliipping  in  the  river,  a  large  quan- 
tity of  provifions,  with  the  capital  of  Georgia,  were 
all,  in  the  fpace  of  a  few  hours,  in  the  potTeiTion 
of  the  conquerors.  The  broken  remains  of  the 
American  army  retreated  up  the  river  Savannah, 
and  took  refuge  in  South-Carolina.* 

ABOUT  the  period  of  the  embarkation  at  New- 
York,  General  Prevoil  marched  from  Eaft-Florida. 
After  encountering  many  difficulties,  the  royal 
troops  reached  the  inhabited  parts  of  Georgia,  and 
brought  Sunbury  under  fubjedion.  Lieut,  col. 
Campbell  behaved  with  fuch  prudence  arid  mode- 
ration, that  he  not  only  extirpated  military  oppofi- 
tion,  but  fubverted,  for  a  time,  every  trace  of  re- 
publican government  in  Georgia,  and  eftablifhed 
the  authority  of  Great-Britain  in  that  (late.  On 
the  arrival  of  General  Prevoil,  he  took  the  com- 
mand of  the  combined  forces  from  New- York  and 
St.  Auguftine.f 

THE  errors  of  the  firft  years  of  the  war  induced 
congrefs,  at  this  period,  to  make  fome  ufeful  re- 
forms, in  that  department.  Between  two  and  three 
hundred  officers  had  refigned  their  commilTions,  on 
account  of  the  infufficiency  of  the  proviiion,  which 
had  been  made  for  their  fuppoi  t.  From  a  convic- 
tion of  the  juftice  and  policy  of  making  commif- 
fions  valuable,  and  from  refpecfc  to  the  warm,  but 
difmterefted  recommendations  of  General  Wafli- 
ington,  congrefs  reiblved,  "  That  half  pay  mould 

wi  Vsl*  II,  p.  418.       f  Ram/a?t  Ft/,   1L  /.  98. 


NE  W -ENGLAND.  413 

be  allowed  to  their  officers,  for  the  term  of  feven  1778* 
years,  after  the  expiration  of  their  fervice."     This 
was  afterwards  extended  to  the  end  of  their  lives. 
And,  finally,  that  was  commuted  for  full  pay,  for 
five  years. 

THIS  year,  a  more  regular  difcipline  was  intro-  . 
duced  into  the  American  army,  by  the  induftry, 
abilities  and  judicious  regulations,  of  Baron  de 
Steuben,  a  mod  excellent  difciplinarian,  who  had 
ferved  under  the  king  of  Pruflia.  A  very  impor- 
tant reform  took  place  in  the  medical  department, 
by  appointing  different  officers  to  difcharge  the  di- 
recting and  purveying  bufmefs  of  the  military  hof- 
pitals,  which  had  been  previoufly  united  in  the 
lame  hands.  Dr.  Rufh,  of  Philadelphia,  was  prin- 
cipally inftrumental  in  effecting  this  beneficial  al- 
teration.* 

*  Ramfayt  Vol.  II.  p.  99.      Gordon,  Vol.  11  f.  329. 


4i4  HIS  TO  R  Y  OF 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

General  Lincoln  appointed  to  command  at  the  fouth- 
ward.  The  Britijh  make  a  defcent  with  a  land 
andfea  force^  into  Virginia.  Governor  Tryon's 
deftruclive  expedition  into  Connecticut.  Brave  ac- 
tion of  General  Putnam.  General  Wayne  Jiorms 
Stoney-Point.  Major  Lee  takes  the  Britijh  pojl 
at  Paulus  Hook.  The  Americans  unfuccefsful  in 
an  attempt  again/I  a  pofl  in  Penobfcot.  Their  Jleet 
dejlroyed.  The  king  of  Spain  joim  the  confedera- 
cy againft  Britain.  Of  the  campaign  at  the  fouth- 
ward,  in  1/79.  D9  EJlaing  appears  before  Savan- 
nah. Bejieges  it  in  conjunction  with  General 
Lincoln.  The  allies  are  defeated^  and  retreat. 
Rhode-Ifland  evacuated.  Expedition  againft  the 
Indians. 

J[  OWARDS  the  clofe  of  the  former 
year,  the  South-Carolina  delegates  requefted  con- 
grefs  to  appoint  General  Lincoln,  on  whofe  cha- 
rafter  they  juflly  repofpd  great  confidence,  to  the 
command  of  all  the  fouthern  forces.  Accordingly 
they  made  the  appointment,  and  he  repaired  to 
Charleflon. 

1779.  THE  Britifh  began  their  operations  this  year 
with  expeditions  tending  rather  to  diftrefs  the 
Americans,  than  to  benefit  their  own  caufe.* 

*  Ramfaj,  Vol.  1L  /,  xoo. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  4*1 

IN  the  month  of  May,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  fent  a  1779. 
naval  and  land  force  to  make  an  inroad  into  Virgi* 
nia,  under  the  command  of  Sir  George  Gollier  and 
General  Matthews.  They  failed  for  Portfmouth* 
and  on  their  arrival  took  poffeflion  of  that  defence- 
lefs  town.  The  remains  of  Norfolk,  on  the  oppo^ 
fite  fide  of  the  river,  fell  of  eourfe  into  their  hand*. 
The  Americans  burned  fome  of  their  own  vefifels, 
but  others  were  made  prizes  by  the  invaders.  The 
Britiih  guards  marched  eighteen  miles  in  the  night, 
and  arriving  at  Suffolk  by  morning,  burnt  the  houf- 
es  in  that  town  \  and  proceeded  to  the  deilruclion 
of  veffels,  naval  ftores^and  a  large  magazine  of  pro- 
vifions,  which  had  been  there  depofited.  A  fimi- 
lar  deftruftion  was  carried  on  h>  other  parts-  of 
the  vicinity ;  nor  were  the  frigates  and  armed  vef- 
fels  lefs  active  and  fuccefsful  in  their  fervice.* 

IN  about  five  weeks  after  the  termination  of 
this  expedition,  a  firnilar  one  was  projected  againU 
the  expofed  margin  of  Connedlicut.  Governor 
Tryon  was  appointed  to  conduct  the  land  forces, 
confining  of  about  2600  men  ;  and  he  was  fecond- 
ed  by  brigadier-general  Garth.  The  tranfports, 
which  conveyed  thefe  troops,  were  covered  by  a 
fuitable  number  of  armed  veflels,  commanded  by 
Sir  George  Collier.  They  proceeded  from  New- 
York,  and  landed  at  New-Haven.  The  town, 
on  their  entering  it,  was  delivered  up  to  prornif- 
cuous  plunder,  a  few  inftances  of  protection  ex- 
cepted.  Whigs  and  tories,  indifcriminately,  though 
not  univerfally,  had  their  money,  plate,  rings  and 
other  articles  taken  from  them;  and  much  of 

*  Ramfayy  Vol.  II.  p.   101.     Gordon,  Vol.  11.  447. 


4x6  HIS  T  O  R  Y    OF 

1779  their  furniture,  which  could  riot  be  carried  off, 
was  wantonly  deflroyed.  After  perpetrating  va- 
rious fpecies  of  enormity,  the  invaders  fuddenly 
re-embarked,  and  proceeded  by  water  to  Fairfield. 
The  militia  of  that  place  and  the  vicinity  potted 
themfelves  at  the  court-houfe  green,  and  gave  con- 
fiderable  annoyance  to  them,  as  they  were  ad- 
vancing, but  foon  retreated  to  the  height  back  of 
the  town.  Governor  Tryon  fent  by  a  flag  to  col. 
Whitney,  who  commanded  them,  an  addrefs,  in 
which  he  afiured  them,  that  their  property  lay 
within  the  power  of  the  Britifh,  and  threatened 
them  with  its  deftruclion,  unlefs  they  returned  to 
their  allegiance.  Though  the  colonel  was  al- 
lowed an  hour  to  confider  and  anfwer,  he  had 
icarcely  time  to  read  it,  before  the  town  was  in 
flames.  He  neverthelefs  returned  the  following 
anfwer.  "  Connecticut  having  nobly  dared  to 
take  up  arms  againft  the  cruel  defpotifm  of  Great- 
Britain,  and  the  flames  having  preceded  the  an- 
fwer to  your  flag,  they  will  perfiit  to  oppofe  to 
the  utmoft  the  power  exerted  againft  injured  in- 
nocence."* 

*  Gordon.  See  a  particular  defcriplion  of  the  burning  of  Fair- 
field,  in  Prefident  Dnuighft  elvgant  poem,  Jliled  Greenfield. HilL 
Aftsr  painting,  in  Jlriking  language  t  the  Cruelty  of  the  Britijbt 
he  hat  the  following  beautiful  lines. 

ft  Yet  let  not  indignati»n  rude 
Commix  the  worthlefs  with  the  good  : 
Sweet  candor  lings  with  voice  benign, 
And  fmiies  to  pen  the  generous  line  ; 
Bright  fouls  there  were,  who  felt  for  woef 
.And  own'd  the  merit  of  a  foe  -t 
Bright  Britifh  fouls,  with  virtue  ivarm'd, 
To  reafon,  and  to  kind^fs  charm'd, 
Who  footh'd   the  wretch  with  tendereft  care, 
Their  leaders   fpurn'd  and  curs'd  the  w?r  j 
The  forrows  wept  of  life's  fhort  fpan, 
And  felt  the  kindred    ties  of 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  417 

THE  Britifh,  in  this  excurfion,  alfo  burnt  Eafl-  1779. 
Haven,  the  greateft  part  of  Green's  farms,  and 
the  flourifhing  town  of  Norwalk.  A  confidera- 
ble  number  of  (hips,  either  finifhed  or  on  the 
flocks,  with  whale-boats,  and  a  large  amount  of 
flores  and  merchandize,  were  deftroyed.  In  or- 
der to  vindicate  thefe  devaftations,  the  Britifh  al- 
ledged,  that  the  houfes  which  they  had  burnt 
gave  fhelter  to  the  Americans,  while  they  fired 
from  them,  and  on  other  occafions  concealed 
their  retreat.* 

A  SUDDEN  period  was  put  to  thcfe  devafta- 
tions. In  about  ten  days  after  the  landing  of  the 
Britifh  troops,  an  order  was  ifiued  for  their  im- 
mediate return  to  New- York.  This  they  effeded 
in  a  fhort  time,  and  with  a  lofs  fo  inconfiderable, 
that  in  the  whole  expedition,  it  did  not  exceed 
150  men.f 

ABOUT  this  time,  Gen.  Putnam,  who  had  been 
ftationed  with  a  refpe&able  command  at  Read- 
ing, in  Connecticut,  when  on  a  vifit  to  his  out- 
poft,  at  Horfe-Neck,  was  attacked  by  governor 
Tryon,  with  about  1500  men.  Gen.  Putnam  had 
only  a  picket  of  150  men,  and  two  iron  field 
pieces,  without  horfes  or  drag-ropes.  He  howev- 
er planted  his  cannon  on  the  high  ground,  near 
the  meeting-houfe,  and  by  feveral  difcharges  re- 
tarded the  advancing  Britifh,  and  continued  'to 
make  oppofition,  till  he  perceived  the  enemy's  horfe, 
fupported  by  the  infantry,  were  about  to  charge. 
Gen.  Putnam,  after  ordering  the  picket  to  pro- 

*  Gordon,  VoL  //,/.  451.     f  Ram/of t  Vel*  IL  p.  106. 
EEC 


HIST  O  R  Y  OF 

1779.  vide  for  their  fafety,  by  retiring  to  a  fwamp  i-r-nc- 
ceffible  to  horie,  plunged  down  the  precipice  at 
the  church.  This  is  fo  deep  as  to  have  artificial 
flairs,  coiBpofed  of  nearly  one  hundred  Hone  ftep^, 
for  the  accommodation  of  foot  paiTengers.  The 
dragoons  flopped  fhoft,  without  venturing  down 
the  abrupt  declivity  ;  and  before  they  got  round 
the  brow  of  the  hill,  Putnam  was  far  beyond 
their  reach.  Of  the  many  balls:  that  were  fired  at 
him,  all  miffed  except  one,  which  went  through 
his  hat.  He  proceeded  to  Stamford,  and  having 
ftrengthened  his  picket  with  fome  militia,  faced 
about,  and  purfued  governor  Tryon  on  his  rt» 
turn* 

THE  campaign  of  this  year  was  diflinguifhed 
by  the  capture  of  Stoney-Point,  on  the  North- 
river.  This  fort  had  been  creeled  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, and  was  taken  and  flrongly  fortified  by  the 
Britifh.  Gen.  Wayne  was  the  commanding  oiii- 
cer,  who*  was  entrufled  with  the  execution  of  this 
plan  ;  and  the  troops  employed,  on  this  occaiion, 
were  chiefly  natives  of  New-England.  All  the 
MafTachufetts  light-infantry  marched  from  Wefl- 
Point,  under  lieut.  colonel  Hull,  on  the  morning 
of  the  i  jth  of  July,  and  joined  General  Wayne, 
at  Sandy-Beach,  fourteen  miles  from  Stoney-Point. 
The  roads  were  exceedingly  bad  and  narrow,  and 
the  troops  having  to  pafs  over  high  mountains, 
through  difficult  defiles  and  morafTes,  were  oblig- 
ed to  move  in  fingle  files  the  greatefl  part  of  the 
\vay.  By  eight  in  the  evening,  the  van  arrived 

*  Humpknft  life  of  Putnam,  p.  : 


NE  W-ENGL  AND.  419 

within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  enemy,  where  the  1779. 
men,  being  formed  in  two  columns,  remained  till 
General  Wayne,  and  feveral  of  the  piincipal  of- 
fleers,  returned  from  reconnoitring  the  works. 
At  half  pad  eleven  at  night,  the  whole  moved  for- 
ward to  the  attack.  The  general  placed  himfelf 
at  the  head  of  the  right  column,  and  gave  the  mofl 
pointed  orders  not  to  fire,  but  to  depend  folely  on 
the  bayonet,  which  order  was  faithfully  obeyed* 
The  two  columns  directed  their  attacks  to  oppo- 
fite  points  of  the  works,  whilft  a  detachment  en- 
gaged the  attention  of  the  garrifon,  by  a  feint  in 
the  front.  The  approaches  were  more  difficult,  than 
had  been  apprehended  ;  the  works  being  covered 
by  a  deep  morafs,  which  at  that  time  was  overflow- 
ed by  the  tide.* 

<c  BUT  neither  the  morafs,  the  double  rows  of 
abbatis,  nor  the  flrength  of  the  works,  damped  the 
ardor  of  the  Americans.  In  the  face  of  an  incef- 
fant  and  tremendous  fire  of  muiketry  and  of  can? 
non,  loaded  with  grape-fhot,  they  forced  their  way 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  through  every  obfta- 
cie,  till  the  van  of  each  column  met  in  the  centre 
of  the  works,  and  the  garrifon  were  obliged  to  fur- 
render  at  difcretion." 

GENERAL  Wayne  was  wounded  in  the  head 
by  a  mufket  ball,  as  he  palTed  the  laft  abbatis, 
but  neverthelefs  infilled  on  being  carried  forward, 
adding,  as  a  reafon  for  it,  that  if  he  died  he  wifhed 
it  might  be  in  the  fort.  The  killed  and  wounded 
of  the  Americans  amounted  to  98.  The  killed  of 

*  Gordon,  Vol.  II.  f.  452,  45 $• 


420  HISTORY   OF 

1779.  the  garrifon  were  63,  and  the  number  of  the  prif- 
oners  543.  Two  flags,  two  flandards,  fifteen 
pieces  of  ordnance,  and  a  confiderable  quantity  of 
military  flores  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  conquer- 
ors.* 

-  THIS"  fuccefsful  enterprize  emboldened  the 
Americans  to  make  a  fimilar  attempt  on  Paulus 
Hook,  a  fortified  pofl  on  the  Jerfey  fide,  oppofite 
to  New- York.  After  having  completely  furpriz- 
cd  the  pofts,  the  American  commander,  major 
Lee,  finding  it  impoffible  to  retain  them,  made  an 
orderly  retreat,  with  about  160  prifoners,  among 
whom  were  feven  officers. 

ABOUT  this  period,  an  unfuccefsful  attempt  was 
made  by  the  flate  of  MafTachufetts  againft  a  pofl 
on  the  river  Periobfcot,  on  the  borders  of  Nova- 
Scotia,  of  which  the  Britifh  had  lately  taken  pof- 
fellion,  and  where  they  had  begun  to  ereft  a  fort, 
which  threatened  to  be  a  great  inconvenience  to 
the  Americans.  In  order  to  counteract  the  eflab- 
limment  of  this  pofl,  a  confiderable  fleet  was  fitted 
out  with  extraordinary  expedition,  and  put  under 
the  conduct  of  commodore  Saltonflall.  The  land 
forces  were  commanded  by  General  Lovel.  The 
Americans  with  great  difficulty  effected  a  landing, 
but,  previoufly  to  their  giving  a  general  aflault, 
they  perceived  Sir  George  Collier,  with  a  Britifh 
fleet,  failing  up  the  river  to  attack  them.  As  his 
force  was  vaftly  fuperior  to  theirs,  to  efcape  was 
impracticable.  The  whole  American  fleet  was  deft 

Ram  fay,  Vol.  //.  p,  108,    See  Gen,  Waynes  Letter  to  Gen. 
intcn  en  this 


NEW-ENGLAND.  421 

' 
troyed.      Their  foldiers  and  failors  were  obliged  to  1779. 

return  a  great  part  of  their  way  by  land  ;  and  to 
wander  through  immenfe  deferts.  A  great  fcarcity 
of  provifions  augmented  their  calamities.* 

IN  the  mean  time  the  war,  which  originated  in 
America,  was  extended  to  diftant  countries,  llof- 
tilities  between  the  fleets  of  France  and  Great- 
Britain  were  carrying  on  frequently  in  both  the  In- 
dies, and  the  European  feas.  The  king  of  Spain 
was  alfo,  about  this  time,  induced  to  accede  to  the 
confederacy  againft  Great-Britain, 

WHILST  the  progrefs  of  the  war  in  the  north- 
ern dates  was  marked  with  devaflation  and  diftrefs^ 
the  affairs  of  the  Americans  at  the  fouthward  wore 
a  more  alarming  afpeft. 

THE  Britiih  forces,  as  has  been  related  in  the 
preceding  chapter,  had  effected  the  reduction  of* 
the  greateft  part  of  Georgia.  The  royal  army  at 
Savannah,  being  reinforced  by  the  junction  of  the 
troops  from  St.  Auguftine,  was  in  a  condition  to 
extend  their  pofts.  Major  Gardner,  with  200  men, 
being  detached  with  this  view,  landed  on  Port- 
Royal  ifland,  in  South- Carolina.  General  Moul- 
trie,  at  the  head  of  an  equal  number  of  Americans, 
chiefly  militia,  attacked  and  drove  him  off.  After 
this  repulfe,  the  Britifh  endeavoured  to  flrengthen 
themfelves  by  reinforcements  from  the  tories  in 
the  weflern  fettlements  of  Georgia  and  Carolina. 
A  number  of  loyalifts,  who  affembled  to  join  the 
Britifh  forces,  were,  with  colonel  Boyd,  their  lead- 
er,  utterly  routed  and  difperfed.f 
ot-  11  .  in. 


II  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1779.  IN  the  mean  time  General  Lincoln,  with  a  con- 
*~~*~^  fiderable  body  of  troops,  fixed  encampments  at 
Black-Swamp,  and  nearly  oppofite  to  Augufta,  on 
the  Carolina  fide.  From  thefe  pofts  he  formed  a 
plan  of  crofling  into  Georgia,  in  order  to  limit  the 
Britifh  to  the  low  country,  near  the  ocean.  To  af- 
fift  this  defign,  General  A  ill,  with  fifteen  hundred 
North-Carolina  militia,  and  a  few  regular  troops, 
May  3.  took  a  pofition  at  Briar-Creek.  In  order  to  dif- 
lodge  this  party,  lieut.  col.  Prevoil  made  a  circuit- 
ous march  of  about  fifty  miles,  with  900  men. 
The  Americans  were  totally  defeated;  150  men 
were  killed,  and  160  taken.  This  event  deprived 
Gen.  Lincoln  of  one  fourth  of  his  numbers,  and 
opened  a  communication  between  the  Britiih,  the  In- 
dians, and  the  tories  of  North  and  South-Carolina.* 
THE  difafters,  which  followed  the  American 
arms,  after  the  landing  of  the  Britifh  in  Georgia, 
ftimulated  the  South-Carolinians  to  energetic  ex- 
ertions, to  oppofe  the  extenfion  of  their  conquefts. 
John  Rutledge,  a  Carolinian  of  the  moft  diftin- 
guifhed  abilities,  was  unanimoufiy  chofen  governor 
of  the  (late,  and,  in  conjunclion  with  his  council, 
inveiled  with  dictatorial  powers.  He  afifembled  a 
large  body  of  the  militia  near  the  centre  of  the 
ftate,  that  they  might  be  in  conftant  readinefs  to 
march  whitherfoever  public  fervice  required.  Part 
of  the  American  force  was  ftationed  on  the  north 
fide  of  the  Savannah,  at  Purryfburg  and  Black 
Swamp,  while  General  Lincoln,  and  the  main  ar- 
my, crofled  into  Georgia,  near  Augufta. 

*  Gsrdan,  Vsl.  IL  p.  430. 


NEW.  EN  GLAND.  425 

f 

WHEN  the  American  army  was  150   miles  up  1779* 


the  Savannah,  Gen.  Prevoft,  availing  himfelf  of 
that  critical  moment,  crofled  over  to  Carolina  with 
2400  regulars,  and  a  confiderable  body  of  Indians. 
On  his  advance,  General  Moultrie,  who  was  charg- 
ed with  the  defence  of  South-Carolina,  was  com- 
pelled to  retire.  When  General  Lincoln  found 
that  Prevoft  was  marching  for  Charleflon,  he  re- 
eroded  the  Savannah,  and  purfued  him.  The  in- 
habitants of  South-Carolina  were  affiduouily  en- 
gaged in  their  preparations  to  repel  the  Britiih  in- 
vaders ;  and  a  force  of  3300  men  was  ailembled 
in  Charlefton  for  the  defence  of  that  city.* 

THE  main  body  and  baggage  of  the  Britifh  army  May  it. 
being  left  on  the  fouth  fide  of  Afhley  river,  an 
advanced  detachment,  of  900  men,  croffed  the  fer- 
ry, and  appeared  before  the  town.  In  the  mean 
time  Lincoln  was  marching  with  all  poffible  expe- 
dition for  the  relief  of  Charlefton.  As  his  timely 
arrival  was  dubious,  and  the  crifis  extremely  haz- 
ardous, a  proportion  was  made  by  the  garriibn  to 
Gen.  »Prevoft,  "  that  South-  Carolina  would  re- 
main in  a  (late  of  neutrality  during  the  war."  The 
Britifh  commander  rejected  this  advantageous  of- 
fer ;  and  the  Americans  made  preparations  for  a 
vigorous  defence.  Prevoft,  having  learnt,  by  an 
intercepted  letter,  that  Lincoln  was  advancing  in 
his  rear,  retreated  from  the  main  land  to  th£ 
iflands  on  the  fea  coaft.  Both  armies  encamped 
in  the  vicinity  of  Charlefton,  watching  each  other's 
motions  till  the  soth  of  June,  when  an  attack  was 

*  Ramjay,  Vol.  II.  p,   1  1  8, 


424  HISTORY    OF 

1779.  made  by  about  1200  Americans,  on  6  or  700  of 
the  Britifh,  advantageoufly  potted  at  Stono  ferry. 
The  action  was  continued  for  an  hour  and  twenty 
minutes,  and  the  aflailants  had  the  advantage  ;  but 
the  appearance  of  a  reinforcement  rendered  their 
retreat  neceflary.  The  lofs  of  the  Americans  in 
killed  and  wounded  was  about  150. 

AFTER  this  attack,  the  Britifh  retreated  from 
the  iilands  adjacent  to  Charleilon  ;  and  the  main 
body  went  to  Savannah. 

ON  the  i  ft  of  September,  Count  D'Eftaing  ar- 
rived with  a  fleet  of  twenty  fail  of  the  line,  two 
of  fifty  guns,  and  eleven  frigates.  As  foon  as  the 
count's  arrival  on  the  coafi  was  known,  General 
Lincoln,  with  the  army  under  his  command,  march- 
ed  with  the  utmoft  expedition  to  Savannah;  and 
orders  were  given  for  the  South-Carolina  and 
Georgia  militia  to  rendezvous  immediately  near 
the  fame  place.  The  Britifh  were  equally  diligent 
in  preparing  for  their  defence.* 

THE  French  and  Americans,  after  having  fpent 
fome  time  in  making  regular  approaches,  fit  lad 
determined  to  take  the  place  by  ftorm.  Accord- 
ingly, October  9th,  two  feints  were  made  with 
the  country  militia,  and  a  real  attack  on  Spring- 
hill  battery  early  in  the  morning,  with  3500  French 
troops,  600  continentals,  and  350  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Charlefton.  Thefe  boldly  marched  up 
to  the  lines,  under  the  command  of  D'Eftaing  and 
General  Lincoln  ;  but  a  heavy  and  well  directed  fire 
from  the  batteries,  and  a  crofs  fire  from  the  galiies, 

*  Gordon,  VoL  11  p.  446,     Ramfaft  Vol.   //./>.   119. 


NEW. ENGLAND.  425 

threw  the  front  of  their  columns  into  confufion.  1779. 
Two  ftandards,  however,  were  planted  on  the 
Britifh  redoubt.  A  retreat  of  the  afiailants  was  or- 
dered, after  they  had  fuftained  the  enemy's  fire  for 
fifty-five  minutes.  Count  D'Eftaing  and  Count 
Polafki  were  both  wounded.  The  former  flightly, 
but  the  latter  mortally.  Six  hundred  and  thirty- 
feven  of  the  French,  and  upwards  of  two  hundred 
of  the  continental  foldiers  and  militia  were  killed 
or  wounded.  After  this  unfuccefsful  aflault,  the 
American  militia  almoft  univerfally  returned  to 
their  homes.  Count  D'Eftaing  re-embarked  his 
troops  and  artillery,  and  left  the  continent.* 

THE  expedition  of  D'Eftaing  on  the  American 
coaft,  though  unfuccefsful  as  to  its  principal  ob- 
ject, was  eventually  of  benefit  to  the  United  States. 
It  difconcerted  the  meafures  already  digefted  by 
the  Britifh  commanders,  and  procraftinated  the 
period  of  determining  on  a  new  plan  of  operation. 
It  alfo  occafioned  the  evacuation  of  Rhode-Ifland  ; 
though  not  to  the  advantage  of  America ;  for  the 
Britifli  had  nearly  6000  men  ftationed  two  years 
and  eight  months  on  that  ifland,  where  they 
could  render  little  more  fervice  to  the  royal 
caufe,  than  could  have  been  obtained  by  a  couple 
of  frigates.! 

THERE  was  for  fome  time  a  ceflation  of  impor- 
tant military  operations  through  the  province  of 
New- York.  Congrefs  embraced  an  opportunity 
to  difpatch  General  Sullivan  to  take  vengeance  on 
the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  for  their  ravages 

*  Ramf<y,    Vol.  II.  p,   122.      f  ttia'. 
F  pf 


426  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1779.  and  devailations.  Upon  which.  General  Sullivan 
marched  into  the  Indian  country  5  burnt  their 
villages,  defiroyed  their  provifions,  and  laid  wade 
their  fields  and  gardens.  Not  only  the  men  and 
warriors,  but  the  women  and  children,  and  whole 
fettlenients  were  involved  in  promifcuous  defola- 
tion.  The  cruelties,  which  the  Indians  and  Ame- 
ricans infli&ed  on  each  other,  during  the  conteil 
with  Britain,  open  a  fcene  deeply  wounding  to 
the  feelings  of  humanity  ;  and  the  brevity  of  thi> 
work  forms  art  apology  for  drawing  a  veil  ovt? 
tfeofe  horrid  and  deftruclive  operations.* 

»   Ramfey. 


NE  W.ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

The  Britifh  troops  gain  the  poffeffion  of  Charleston, 
in  South -Carolina.  Tarlcton  defeats  Buford* 
The  inhabitants  of  South-Carolina  generally  fub- 
mit  to  the  Britljh  government.  General  Sump- 
ter's  fuccefs.  Battle  of  Camdcn.  Tar  let  on  de- 
feats Sumpter.  Patriotifm  of  the  ladies  of  South- 
Carolina.  A  party  of  loyalifts  difperfed  by  the 
Americans*  Sumpter  collects  a  body  of  volunteers^ 
and  performs  feveral  brave  actions,  Predatory 
excurfwns  of  the  Britijh.  The  academy  of  arts 
and  fcicnces  injlituted  in  Maffachufetts.  Mutiny 
of  two  regiments  of  Connecticut  troops.  Ar- 
rangements in  the  army.  Arrival  of  the  French 
fleet.  Treaty  between  Holland  and  the  United 
States.  General  Arnold  dcferts  the  American 
caufe ;  and  agrees  to  deliver  Weft-Point  to  the 
Britijh.  Unhappy  fate  of  major  Andre.  Arnold 
is  made  brigadier-general  in  the  Britifl)  army  ; 
and  endeavours  to  engage  the  continental  troops  tq 
defert  the  American  caufe. 

HE  Britifli  army,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  commenced  their 
operations  early  this  year  with  an  attempt  againft  1780 
Charlefton,  in  South-Carolina,  The  Americans, 
at  this  period,  were  greatly  difpiritecl  with  their 
repulfe  at  Savannah  ;  and  the  number  of  troops 
under  General  Lincoln  was  fur  to:>  few  for  the 
defence  of  the  city. 


428  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   O  F 

1780.      ON  the  1  2th  of  April,   the  royal  army  opened 


their  batteries  againfl  Charlefton  ;  and  during 
eight  days,  a  conftant  fire  was  kept  up  between 
both  parties.  General  Lincoln  exerted  himfelf 
to  the  utmofl  in  defending  the  town;  but  the 
Britifh  fpeedily  completed  its  inveftiture,  both  by 
land  and  water  ;  and  brought  the  preparations  to 
ftorm  it  in  every  part  in  great  forwardnefs.  Ne- 
Mtyi2.ceflity  at  length  impelled  General  Lincoln,  who 
^^  had  been  applied  to  for  that  purpofe  by  the  inhab- 
itants, to  furrender  the  town,  on  fuch  articles  of 
capitulation  as  had  been  previoufly  agreed  to,  by 
General  Clinton.* 

THE  lofs  on  either  fide,  during  the  fiege,  was 
nearly  equal.  Of  the  king's  troops,  76  were  kill- 
ed, and  189  wounded.  Of  the  Americans,  89 
were  killed,  and  140  wounded.  The  num- 
bers, which  furrendered  prifoners  of  war,  inclu- 
five  of  the  militia,  and  every  adult  male  inhab- 
itant, were  about  5000  ;  but  the  proper  garri- 
fon,  at  the  time  of  the  furrender,  did  not  exceed 
2500.  This  was  the  finl  inftance,  in  which  the 
Americans  had  attempted  to  defend  a  town.f 

AFTER  the  furrender  of  Charlefton,  the  next 
object  of  the  Britifh  was  to  fecure  the  general 
fubmiflion  of  the  inhabitants.  To  this  end  they 
pofled  garrifons  in  different  parts  of  the  country. 
They  alfo  marched  with  upwards  of  2000  men 
towards  North-Carolina.  This  caufed  an  imme- 
diate retreat  of  fome  parties  of  Americans,  who 
had  advanced  into  the  northern  extremity  of 
South-Carolina,  with  the  expectation  of  relieving 

*  Gardw,  Vol.  UL  p.  48—50,     f  Ratn/v,  Pol,  11  /.  1  56, 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  4*9 

Charlefton.  Among  the  corps,  which  had  come  1780. 
forward  with  that  view,  there  was  one  confiiling 
of  about  300  continental  feldiers,  commanded  by 
col.  Buford.  Lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton,  with 
700  horfe  and  foot,  completely  defeated  this  party, 
who,  difpirited  by  the  lofs  of  Charlefton,  made 
but  a  feeble  refiftance.  It  is  faid,  that  Tarleton's 
forces  refufed  quarter  to  the  Americans,  after  they 
had  ceafed  to  refift,  and  laid  down  their  arms.* 

SIR  Henry  Clinton  having  left  about  4000 
men  for  the  fouthera  fervice,  embarked  early  in 
June,  with  the  principal  part  of  the  army  for  New- 
York.  On  his  departure,  the  command  devolved 
on  lieutenant-general  Cornwallis.  His  lordfhip 
committed  the  care  of  the  frontier  to  Lord  Raw- 
don,  and  repairing  to  Charlefton,  devoted  his 
principal  attention  to  the  commercial  and  civil 
regulation  of  South-Carolina.  In  the  mean  time, 
the  impoilibility  of  removing  their  families  and  ef- 
fects, and  the  want  of  an  army  to  which  the  mili- 
tia of  the  dates  might  repair,  induced  the  people  in 
the  country  to  abandon  ail  fchemes  of  farther  re- 
fiftance. At  Beaufort,  Camden  and  Ninety-fix, 
they  generally  laid  down  their  arms,  and  fubmit- 
ted,  either  as  prifoners  or  fubjects.f 

THE  firft  effort  the  Americans  made  in  South- 
Carolina  was  two  months  after  the  fall  of  Charlef- 
ton. July  12,  col.  Sumpter,  a  native  of  that 
ftate,  at  the  head  of  a  number  of  exiles,  took  the  , 
field  againft  the  victorious  Britifli.  With  the 
fmall  force  of  133  men,  he  attacked  and  routed  a 

*  Gtr&a,  Vol*  ///,/,  53,     f  Ran/ft?,  Vol*  11.  /.  159. 


430  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    OF 

r/So.  detachment  of  the  royal  forces  and  militia,  which 
v-^°  were  polled  in  a  lane  at  Williamfon's  plantation. 
The  troops  from  the  north-weftern  frontier  of 
South-Carolina  joined  col.  Sumpter  with  fuch 
alacrity,  that  in  a  few  days  the  force  under  his  com- 
mand amounted  to  600  men.  With  this  increafe 
of  ftrength,  he  made  a  fpmted  attack  on  a  party 
of  Britifh  at  Rocky-Mount ;  but  having  no  artil- 
lery, was  obliged  to  retreat.  This  a&ive  partizan 
attacked  another  royal  detachment,  confiiting  of 
the  prince  of  Wales'  regiment,  and  a  large  body  of 
tories,  under  colonel  Bryan,  ported  at  Hang- 
ing Rock.  He  reduced  the  above  regiment, 
from  278  men,  to  nine.  The  remainder  of  loy- 
alifts  in  that  quarter  were  difperfed  ;  and  the 
panic  occafioned  by  the  fall  pf  Charjefton  daily 
abated.* 

AFTER  General  Lincoln  was  made  prifoner  at 
Charlefton,  General  Gates  was  appointed  to  com- 
mand in  the  fouthern  department.  On  the  ap- 
proach of  his  army,  Earl  Cornvvallis  haftened  from 
Aug.  1 6. Charlefton  to  Camden,  where  he  attacked  the 
American  troops,  in  an  unfavorable  fituation  ;  and 
after  a  long  and  obftinate  conteft,  gained  a  com- 
plete viftory.  The  continental  troops  fought 
with  undaunted  courage  ;  but  the  militia  were 
foon  difmayed,  and  left  the  former  to  oppoie  the 
whole  force  of  the  Britifh  army.  Gen,  Gates 
exerted  himfelf  to  the  utmofl:  to  rally  the  militia, 
but  without"  effect.  Two  hundred  and  ninety 
American  wounded  prifaners  were  carried  into 
*  &»a/tyt  Pd*  II  p,  16-3,  GW?*,  Fs.\  //£/.  95. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  IX  43* 

Camden,  after  the  a&ion,  among  whom  was  the  1780* 
brave  Baron  de  Kalb,  who  was  mortally  wound- 
ed. The  numbers  flain  cannot  be  precifely  afcer- 
tained  ;  but  it  is  fuppofed  they  amounted  to  about 
700.  More  than  500  of  the  Britiih  were  killed 
and  wounded,  according  to  their  own  account.* 

LIEUT,  colonel  Tarleton,  who  had  greatly  dif-Aug  17. 
tinguifhed  himfelf  in  this  action,  was  detached  the 
fubfequent  day,  with  a  fmall  body  of  cavalry  and 
light-infantry,  to  attack  a  corps  of  Americans 
under  Gen.  Sumpter.  He  executed  this  fervice 
with  fuch  celerity  and  addrefs,  as  to  overtake  and 
furprize  this  party  at  Fifhing- Creek.  Sumpter 
was  totally  defeated,  and  his  whole  detachment 
were  either  killed,  captured  or  difperfed. 

AFTER  the  battle  at  Camden,  Gen.  Gates 
retired  firft  to  Charlotte,  from  thence  to  Salifbu- 
ry,  and  foon  after  to  Hillfborough.  A  minute 
defcription  of  the  retreat  of  the  Americans  from 
Charlotte  to  Salisbury,  would  be  the  image  of 
complicated  wretchednefs.f 

LORD  Cornwallis  remained  at  Camden.  The£ep.i6. 
lofs  he  fuflained  in  the  battle,  and  the  other  dif- 
advantages  under  which  he  labored,  reflrained 
him  from  purfuing  his  conquefts.  To  compel  the 
re-eftablifhment  of  Britifh  government,  he,  in  about 
four  weeks  after  his  victory,  iflued  a  proclam- 
ation for  the  fequeftration  of  all  eftates  be- 
longing to  the  active  friends  of  independence. 
Intimidated  by  the  profpecl  of  poverty  and  ruin, 
many  became  Britifh  fubjech.  However,  feveral 

*  Gordon,  frl.  111.        f   Ramfaj,  Vol.  IL  p.   162. 


43fi  11  I  3  T  O  R  Y   OF 

1780.  of  the  richeft  men  in  the  (late  fuffered  their  for- 
tunes  to  remain  in  the  power  and  poffeflion  of  the 
conquerors,  rather  than  ilain  their  honor,  by  join- 
ing  the  enemies  of  their  country.  The  patriotilhi 
of  the  ladies  contributed  greatly  to  this  firmnefs. 
They  crowded  on  board  prifon-fhips,  and  other 
places  of  confinement,  to  folace  their  fuffering  coun- 
trymen. Large  numbers  of  females,  who  were  ban- 
ifhed  from  their  families,  and  whofe  property  was 
feized  by  the  conquerors,  cheerfully  parted  with 
their  fons,  hufbands  and  brothers,  exhorting  them 
to  fortitude  and  perfeverance,  and  repeatedly  en- 
treating them  never  to  fuffer  family  attachments  to 
interfere  with  the  duty  they  owed  to  their  country. 
When,  in  the  progrefs  of  the  war,  they  were  al- 
fo  comprehended  under  a  general  fentence  of  ban- 
ifhinent,  with  equal  refolution  they  parted  with 
their  native  country,  and  their  many  endearing 
connexions ;  followed  their  huibands  into  prifon- 
fhips  and  diftant  lands,  where  they  were  reduced 
to  the  neceility  of  receiving  charity.* 

WHILST  Lord  Cornwallis  was  retrained  from 
active  operations,  major  Fergufon  undertook  per- 
fonally  to  vifit  the  fettlements  of  the  difaffecled  to 
the  American  caufe,  arid  to  train  their  young  men 
for  fervice  in  the  field.  Having  collected  a  corps 
of  militia,  he  encamped  on  the  top  of  King's 
mountain,  near  the  confines  of  North  and  South- 
7.  .Carolina.  Here  he  was  attacked  by  a  party  of  Amer- 
ican  volunteers,  and  after  a  fevere  conflict,  re- 
ceived a  mortal  wound.  The  contefl  was  termin- 

*  Ratn/ayt  Vol.  II.  p.  172,   173. 


NE  W -ENGLAND.  433 

ated  by  the  fubmiflion  of  the  furvivers.  Upwards  1780. 
of  800  became  priibners,  and  225  had  been  pre- 
vioufly  killed  or  wounded.  The  total  rout  of 
the  party,  which  had  joined  major  Fergufon,  ope- 
rated as  a  check  on  the  future  exertions  of  the 
loyalifts.* 

THE  defeat  of  major  Fergufon,  and  the  confe- 
quent  retreat  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  encouraged  the 
American  militia  to  renew  their  exertions.  Gen* 
Sumpter,  after  the  difperfion  of  his  force  on  the 
1 8th  of  Auguft,  collected  a  corps  of  volunteers, 
and  received  fuch  occafional  reinforcements,  as  en- 
abled him  to  keep  the  field,  though  there  was  no 
continental  army  in  South-Carolina  for  three 
months*  Having  mounted  his  followers,  he  in* 
fefted  the  Britifh,  beat  up  their  quarters,  intercept- 
ed their  convoys,  and  fo  harrafled  them  with  fuc* 
ceflive  alarms,  that  their  movements  could  not  be 
made  but  with  caution  and  difficulty.  He  was  at- 
tacked at  Broad -river  by  major  Wemys,  command- 
ing a  corps  of  infantry  and  dragoons.  In  this  ac- 
tion, the  Britifh  were  defeated,  and  their  com- 
manding officer  taken  prifoner.  Soon  after,,  he 
was  attacked  at  Black  Stocks,  near  Tyger-river, 
by  lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton ;  but  the  royal 
forces  were  obliged  to  retreat,  with  confideiable 
lofs.f 

IN  the  mean  time  General  Gates  was  exerting 
himfelf  to  the  utmoft  to  repair  the  injuries  of  his 
defeat,  and  was  again  in  a  condition  to  face  the 
enemy,  when  he  received  official  information,  that 

*  Ramjay,  Pol.  II.  />.  17*.      Gordon,  Vol.  Ill  p.  122. 
G  eg 


434  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   O  F 

1780.  General  Greene  was  appointed  to  fucceed  him  in 
^^  the  command  of  the  fouthern  department. 
June  16.  WHILST  the  war  raged  in  South-Carolina,  an 
incurfion  was  made  into  Jerfey,  from  New-York, 
with  5000  men,  commanded  by  lieutenant-general 
Knyphaufen,  They  landed  at  Elizabethtown,  and 
proceeded  to  Connecticut  farms.  In  this  neigh- 
borhood, the  Rev.  Mr.  Caidwell  rtfided,  a  PrdT- 
byterian  clergyman,  who  had  rendered  himfeli' 
peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the  Britiih,  by  his  active 
zeal  in  the  American  caufe.  A  foldier  entered 
his  houfe  in  his  abfence,  and  mot  Mrs.  Caidwell 
mftantly  dead.  After  this  cruel  action,  the  houfe, 
and  every  thing  in  it  was  reduced  to  afhes.  The 
Britifh  burnt  abaut  twelve  other  houfes,  and  alib 
the  Prefbyterian  church,  and  then  proceeded  to 
Springfield.  As  they  advanced,  the  Americans 
marched  in  fuch  numbers  to  oppofe  them,  that 
they  retreated  to  Elizabethtown.  Whiifl  the  royal 
detachment  was  in  Jerfey,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had 
returned  from  Charlefton  to  New- York,  and  having 
font  a  reinforcement  to  Knyphaufen,  the  whole  ad- 
vanced a  fecond  time  to  Springfield.  They  were 
now  oppofed  by  General  Greene,  with  a  confider- 
able  number  of  continental  troops.  Colonel  An- 
gel, with  his  regiment,  and  a  piece  of  artillery,  de- 
fended the  bridge,  which  he  was  ordered  to  fecure, 
v/ith  great  gallantry.  Superior  numbers,  howe- 
ver, at  length,  overcame  obflinate  bravery,  and  the 
Americans  were  obliged  to  retire.  They  loft 
about  80  men  in  this  adion  ;  and  the  lofs  of  the 
Britiih  was  fuppofed  to  be  much  greater.  They 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  435 

clofed  this   expedition  with   burning  nearly   fifty  1780. 
dwelling-houfes,  in  Springfield,  and  returned  to 
New- York.* 

BY  fuch  defultory  operations,  were  hoftilities 
conducted  at  this  time  in  the  northern  dates.  In- 
dividuals were  killed,  houfes  were  burnt,  and  much 
mifchief  done  ;  but  nothing  was  effected,  which 
tended  either  to  reconcilement  or  fubjugation.f 

IT  is  remarkable,  that  arnidft  the  anxieties  and 
avocations  attending  the  war,  the  Maflachufetts 
general  court  paffed  an  act  (May  4)  to  incorpo- 
rate and  eftablifh  a  fociety  for  the  cultivation  and 
promotion  of  the  arts  and  fciences,  by  the  name  of 
the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  It  is 
declared  in  the  aft,  u  that  the  end  and  defign  of 
the  inftitution  is,  to  promote  and  encourage  the 
knowledge  of  the  antiquities  of  America,  and  of 
the  natural  hiftory  of  the  country  ;  and,  in  fhort, 
to  promote  the  ftudy  of  all  the  arts  and  fciences 
that  may  tend  to  advance  a  free,  independent  and 
virtuous  people."J 

THE  diftrefs  which  the  Americans  fuffered  from 
the  diminimed  value  of  their  currency,  this  year 
arrived  to  its  highefi  pitch.  The  conlequences  of 
this  depreciation  were  felt  with  peculiar  feverity  by 
thofe,  who  were  engaged  in  military  fervices,  and 
greatly  augmented  their  other  hardfhips.  This 
caufe,  fuperadded  to  a  complication  of  wants  and 
fufferings,  occafioned  a  difpofition  to  mutiny  to 
appear  in  the  American  army.  Thirty-one  of 

«  Ramfay.     f  Ibid.      %  Morfe  t  Geography  I'd.JI.f.  411, 


436  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1780.  the  foldiers,  who  were  flationed  at  Fort-Schuyler, 
went  off  in  a  body.  Being  purfued,  fixteen  of 
them  were  overtaken,  and  thirteen  of  that  number 
Inftantly  killed.  About  the  fame  time,  two  regi- 
ments of  Conne&icut  troops  mutinied,  and  got 
under  arms.  They  determined  to  return  home, 
or  to  gain  fubfiftence  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
Their  officers  reafoned  with  them,  and  urged 
every  argument  that  could  either  intereft  their 
pride  or  their  paflions.  After  much  expostulation, 
they  were  at  length  prevailed  upon  to  go  to  their 
huts.* 

IN  order  to  mitigate  thefe  diftrefles,  congrefs  en- 
deavoured to  give  all  poflible  fatisfaction  to  their 
officers  and  foldiers.  They  appointed  a  committee 
for  arranging  their  finances ;  and  made  fome 
other  regulations  refpe&ing  the  various  public  de- 
partments.t 

THE  committee  of  congrefs  in  the  American 
camp,  wrote  fundry  letters  to  the  ftates,  ftimu- 
lating  them  to  vigorous  exertions.  It  was  agreed 
to  make  arrangements  for  bringing  into  the  field 
35,000  effective  men;  to  make  up  the  deficien- 
cy in  the  enliftments  by  draughts  from  the  mili- 
tia, and  to  call  on  the  ftates  for  fpecific  fupplies 
of  every  thing  necefiary  for  their  fupport. 

WHILST  thefe  preparations  were  making,  the 
French  armament  was  on  its  way  to  America*  On 
the  loth  of  July  M.  de  Ternay  arrived  at  Newport, 
in  Rhode-Ifland,  with  a  fleet  confiding  of  feven 

*  Ramfay,  Vol.  1L  p.  184.     f  Ibid,  p.  192, 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  437 

Uiips  of  the  line,  feveral  frigates,  and  other  vef-  1780. 
fels  of  inferior  force  ;  and  a  body  of  land  forces, 
lo  the  amount  of  about  6000  men,  under  the  com- 
mand of  lieutenant-general  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau.  General  Heath  was  prefent  to  receive  the 
troops  upon  their  landing,  and  to  give  them  the 
poffeffion  of  the  forts  and  batteries  in  the  ifland, 
which  by  their  exertions  were  foon  put  in  a  ftate  of 
defence.* 

ON  the  4th  of  September,  the  plan  of  a  treaty 
of  commerce,  between  the  dates  of  Holland  and 
the  United  States,  was  figned  by  their  refpe&ive 
agents.  Mr.  de  Neufville,  as  agent  from  the  city 
of  Amfterdam,  engaged  that  the  regency  of  that 
city  would  never  adopt  any  meafure  contrary  to 
the  interefts  of  America,  fo  long  as  the  conduct  of 
the  Americans  (hould  be  conformable  to  the  inter* 
efts  of  the  ftates  of  Holland  ;  but  that  they  would 
ufe  all  their  influence  with  the  ftates  of  the  fever; 
United  Provinces,  to  effeft  the  defired  connexion* 
The  bufmefs  was  conducted,  on  the  part  of  Amer- 
ica, by  John  Adams,  the  prefent  prefideut  of  the 
United  States.f 

IN  the  month  of  September,  a  difcovery  of  the 
utmoft  importance  was  made,  which  was  a  fcheme 
for  delivering  Weft-Point  into  the  hands  of  Sir 
Henry  Clinton.  Gen.  Arnold,  who  had  the  com- 
mand of  that  poft,  pofleffed  the  inoft  diftinguifhed 
military  talents,  and  had  been  prodigal  of  life  in 
defence  of  his  country,  A  tafte  for  parade  and 

*  GorAn,  Vol.  ///./.  64,  65.     f  M4}.  94. 


438  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1780.  extravagant  living  had  deeply  involved  him  in 
debt,  and  his  neceffities  induced  him  to  defert  the 
American  caufe.  His  love  of  pleafure  produced 
the  love  of  monsy,  and  that  extinguished  all  fen- 
libility  to  the  obligations  of  honor  and  duty. 
Hence  contracts  were  made,  fpeculations  entered 
into,  and  partnerfhips  inftituted,  which  could  not 
bear  inveftigation.  Oppreflion,  extortion,  mifappli- 
cation  of  public  money  and  property,  furnifhed  him 
with  the  farther  means  of  gratifying  his  favorite 
paffions.  In  thefe  circumftances,  a  change  of 
fides  afforded  the  only  hope  of  evading  a  fcrutiny, 
and  at  the  fame  time,  held  out  a  profpect  of  re- 
plenilhing  his  exhaufled  coffers.  Influenced  by 
thefe  motives,  he  foliated  the  command  of  Weft- 
Point,  which  had  been  ftiled  the  Gibraltar  of 
America,  in  order  to  betray  that  important  for* 
tiefs  into  the  hands  of  the  Britifh.* 

THE  agent  employed  in  this  negociation  on  the 
part  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  was  major  Andre,  adju- 
tant-general in  the  Britifh  army,  who  is  defcribed 
by  Dr.  Ramfay  as  "  a  young  officer  of  great 
hopes,  and  of  uncommon  merit.  Nature  had 
beitowed  on  him  an  elegant  tafte  for  literature  and 
the  fine  arts,  which  by  induftrious  cultivation  he 
had  greatly  improved.  He  pofieffed  many  amia* 
ble  qualities,  and  great  accomplifhments.  His 
fidelity,  together  with  his  place  and  character, 
eminently  fitted  him  for  this  bufmefs ;  but  his 
high  ideas  of  candor,  and  his  abhorrence  of  dupli- 

*  Ramfay ,  Vol.  II.  p.  95. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  439 

city,  made  him  inexpert  in  pra&ifmg  thofe  arts  of  1780. 
deception  which  it  required."* 

FOR  the  fpeedy  completion  of  the  negociation^ 
that  was  conducted  between  Sir  Henry  and  General 
Arnold,  the  Vulture  Hoop  of  war  was  ftationed  in 
the  North-river,  at  fuch  a  diftance  from  the 
American  pods,  as  without  exciting  fufpicion, 
would  -ferve  for  the  neceflary  communications. 
A  written  correfpondence,  through  other  channels, 
had  been  maintained,  fince  the  year  1779,  between 
Arnold  and  Andre  at  New-York,  under  the  names 
of  Guftavus  and  Anderfon.f 

ON  the  2 1  ft  of  September,  the  neceifary  ar- 
rangements being  made,  a  boat  was  fent  at  night 
from  the  more  to  fetch  major  Andre,  which 
brought  him  to  the  beach  without  the  pofts  of  ei- 
ther army,  where  he  met  Arnold.  Their  bufmefs 
was  not  fmifhed,  till  it  was  too  near  the  dawn  of 
day  for  the  major  to  return  ;  and  Arnold  informed 
him  he  muft  be  concealed  till  the  next  night.  For 
that  purpofe  he  was  conducted  within  one  of  the 

*   Mi  ft  Seward  thus    dejtnbes   major  Axdre>  in  her    btautijul 
Monody  on  bis  death- 

"  H->w  gaily  fhone  on  thy  bright  morn  of  youth 
The  liar  of  pleafure,  and  the  Tun  of  truth  ? 
Full  from  their  iource  defcended  on  thy  mind 
Each  generous  virtue,  and  each  tafte  rcfiu'd. 
Young  genius  led  thee  to  her  varied  fane, 
Bade  thee  afk  all  her  gifts,  nor  afk  in  vain  f 
Hence  novel  thought,  in  every  luftre  drelt 
Of  pointed  wit,  the  diamond  of  the  breaft; 
Hence  giow'd  thy  fancy  with  poetic  ray, 
Hence  mufic  warbled  in  thy  fprightly  lay; 
And  hence  thy  pencil  with  her  colors  warm 
Caught  everv  grace,  and  copied  every  charm, 
Whufe  tranfient  glories  beam  on  beauty's  cheek, 
And  bid  the  glnwine  ivory  breath?  and  fpeak.*' 
f  Ram/ay.  Vai  II.  p.  196,  197, 


440  II I  S  T  O  R  Y   O  F 

1780,  American  pofts,  againft   his  previous    flipulation 
and  knowledge,  and   continued  with   Arnold  the 
following  day.     The  boatmen  refufed  to  condudt 
him  back  the  next  night,  as  the  Vulture,  from  be- 
ing expofed  to  the  fire  of  fome  cannon,  brought  up 
to  annoy  her,  had  changed  her  pofition.      Andre 
was,  therefore,  obliged  to  return  to  New- York  by 
land.     To  favor  his  efcape,  he  quitted  his  uniform, 
which  he  had  hitherto  worn  under  his  furtout,  for 
a  common  coat.     He  was  furniihed  with  a  horfe, 
and  under  the  name  of  John  Anderlbn,  received  a 
paifport  from  Arnold    "  to  go  to   the    lines    of 
White  Plains.,  or  lower,  if  he  thought  proper,  he 
being  on  public  bufmefs."* 

MAJOR  Andre  purfued  his  journey  alone,  and 
proceeded  undifturbed  a  great  part  of  the  way  to 
New- York.  \/Vhen  he  imagined  himfelf  out  of 
danger,  he  was  ftopt  by  three  of  the  New- York 
militia,  who  were  out  on  a  fcouting  party,  between 
the  out  ports  of  the  two  armies.  One  of  thefe  men 
fprung  from  his  covert,  and  feized  Andre's  horfe 
by  the  bridle.  The  major,  inftead  of  inftantly  pro- 
ducing his  paf?,  alked  the  man  where  he  belonged, 
who  aiifwered,  "  to  below/*  Andre,  fufpefting  no 
deceit,  faid,  "  fo  do  L"  Then  declaring  himfelf  a 
Britifh  officer,  he  preffed  that  he  might  not  be  de- 
tained, being  on  urgent  bufinefs.  Upon  the  ar- 
rival of  the  other  two  foldiers,  he  difcoveied  his 
miflake.  His  captors  proceeded  to  fearch  him, 
and  found  his  papers.  He  offered  them  a  purfe 
of  gold,  and  a  valuable  new  watch,  if  they  would 
7'j/.  //.  p.  198. 


NEW- ENGLAND.  44' 

permit  him  to  pafs  ;  and  permanent  pfovifion,  and  1780, 
future  promotion,  if  they  would  convey  and  ac- 
company him  to  New- York.  They  nobly  difdain- 
ed  thefe  proffered  bribes,  and  declared,  that  "  ten 
thoufand  guineas,  or  any  other  fum,  would  be  no 
temptation  to  them."  They  delivered  him  a  prif- 
oner  to  lieutenant-colonel  Jamefon,  who  command* 
ed  the  fcouting  parties.* 

IN  order  to  give  Arnold  time  to  efcape,  Andre 
requefted  colonel  Jamefon,  that  a  line  might  be 
fent  to  acquaint  him  with  the  detention  of  Ander* 
fon.  This  was  inconfiderately  granted*  Arnold, 
on  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  abandoned  every 
thing,  and  haftened  on  board  the  Vulture  floop  of 
war.  Colonel  Jamefon  forwarded  to  General 
Waihington  all  the  papers  found  on  Andre  > 
together  with  a  letter,  giving  an  account  of  the 
whole  affair  ;  but  the  exprefs  miffed  him,  by  taking 
a  different  route  from  the  general,  who  was  re- 
turning from  a  conference  at  Hartford,  with  Coum 
de  Rochambeau.  This  caufed  fuch  a  delay,  as 
gave  Arnold  time  to  effect  his  efcape.  The  pack- 
et was  accompanied  with  a  letter  from  the  prifoner, 
which,  fays  Dr.  Ramfay,  "  was  exprefled  in  term* 
of  dignity,  without  infolence,  and  of  apology, 
without  meannefs.  He  avowed  himfelf  to  be 
major  Andre,  adjutant-general  in  the  Britifh  army  ; 
related  the  manner  of  his  capture,  and  endeavour- 
ed to  {how  that  he  did  not  come  under  the  defcrip- 
tion  of  a  fpy.  His  principal  requeft  was,  that 
"  whatever  his  fate  might  be,  a  decency  of  treat* 

St(  Hijltrical  J-mrnal  of  tkt  Amtrittin  WGT-, 
H  H  h 


HISTORY    O  F 

3-780.  ment  might  be  obferved,  which  would  mark,  that 
though  unfortunate^  he  was  branded  with  nothing 
that  was  difhc-norablc,  and  that  he  was  involunta- 
rily an  impol'tor."* 

ON  the  ii^th  of  September,  General  Wafting- 
ten  appointed  a  board  of  fourteen  general  officers, 
with  the  ailiflance  of  the  judge  advocate  general, 
to  examine  major  Andre's  cafe,  and  to  determine 
in  what  light  it  ought  to  be  confidered.  Andre, 
difdaining  all  fubterfuge  and  evafion,  voluntarily 
confeffed  more  than  he  was  afked,  and  fought  not 
to  palliate  any  thing  relating  to  himfelf,  whilft  he 
concealed,  with  the  moft  guarded  and  fcrupulou-s 
delicacy,  whatever  might  involve  others.  The 
board  did  not  examine  a  fmgle  witnefs  ;  but 
founded  their  report  merely  upon  his  own  candid 
confeflion.  Hence,  they  declared  it  to  be  their 
opinion,  "  that  major  Andre  ought  to  be  confider- 
ed as  a  fpy,  and  that,  agreeably  to  the  laws  and 
ufages  of  nations,  he  ought  to  fuller  death."! 

THE  royal  commanders  made  every  exertion  in 
favor  of  Andre.  Several  letters  paffed  between 
the  Generals  Clinton  and  Wafhington,  relative  to 
this  unhappy  affair,  and  an  interview  took  place 
between  Generals  Robertfon  and  Greene,  on  this 
occafion  ;  but  all  their  efforts  were  ineffe&tial.J 

ANDRE,  though  fuperior  to  the  terrors  of  death, 
wifhed  to  die  like  a  foldier.  To  obtain  this  favor, 
he  wrote  a  letter  to  General  Wafhington,  fraught 
with  fentiments  of  military  dignity.  From  an  ad- 
herence to  the  ufagcs  of  war,  it  was  not  thought 
*  Kunf&j,  r*l.  //.  //1 99-  t  Gvdon,  Pel*  Ul  j>.  \  32.  }  Hid. 


N  £  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  IX  443 

proper  to  grant  this  requeft  ;  but  his  delicacy  was  1780. 
raved  from  the  pain  of  receding  -a  negative  anfvver. 
When  led  out   to  the  place  of  execution,  at  Tap- 
pan,  in  the  ft  ate  of  New- York,  the  way  over  which 
he  pa(Ted  was  crowded  on  each   fide  by   anxious 
fpe&ators.     Their  fermbility  was  (Irongly  impref- 
fed,   by   beholding   a  well    drefied  youth,  in  the 
bloom  of  life,  of  a  peculiarly    engaging  perfon, 
mien  and  afpecl,  devoted  to  immediate  execution. 
Major  Andre  walked  with  firmnefs,  compofure  and 
dignity  ;  and  a  fertile  of  complacency  exprefled  the 
ferene  fortitude  of  his    mind.       Upon   feeing  the 
preparations  at  the  fatal  fpot,  he  afked,  with  fome 
degree  of  concern,  "  mufc  I  die  in  this  manner  ?>f 
He  was  informed  it  was  unavoidable.     He  replied, 
**  I   am   reconciled  to  my  fate,    but  not   to   the 
mode  j"  but  foon  fubjoined,  "  it   will  be  but  a 
momentary  pang."      He  afcended  the  cart  with  a 
pleating  countenance,  and  with  a  degree  of  com- 
pofure, which  excited  the  admiration,  and  melted 
the  hearts  of  all  the  fpeclators.      He  was  afked, 
when  the  fatal  moment  was  at  hand,  if  he  had  any 
thing  to  fay  ;  he  anfwered,  nothing,  but  to  requeft, 
<c  that   you  will  witnefs  to  the  world,    that   I   die 
like  a  brave   man."      The  fucceeding  moments 
clofed  the  affecting  fcene.* 

A  REVIEW  of  the  unhappy  fate  of  the  accom- 
pli (hed  Andre,  muft  be  deeply  affe&ing  to  the  feel- 
ing heart.  Among  the  calamities  of  war,  we  be- 
hold the  virtuous  and  brave  deftroying  each  other ; 
and  the  feelings  of  humanity  yielding  to  the  ft  era 

*  Gordon,  lroL  111  p.  133,   134.     Ramfayt  W. //. /,  306, 


444  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1780.  dictates  of  military  juflice.     In  this  affe&ing  in- 
fiance,  we  fee  the  life  of  an  amiable  individual  fa- 
crificed  to  policy,  and  the  ufages   of  war.      His 
blooming  youth,   accomplifhed  manners,   and  the 
many  beautiful    traits    in    his   character,   excite 
efteem,  admiration,  the  tendered  companion,  and 
deepeft   regret.      Such  emotions   were   doubtlefs 
felt,   in  the   ftrongeft  manner,    by  the  brave  cffi* 
cers,  who  pafied  the  decifive  fentence,  that  put  a 
period  to  his  valuable  life. 

THE  traitor  Arnold  was  made  a  brigadier- 
general  in  the  Britifh  army.  He  publifhed  an  ad- 
drefs  to  the  inhabitants  of  America,  dated  from 
New- York,  October  7,  in  which  he  endeavoured 
to  juftify  his  defertion  of  their  caufe.  This  addrefs 
was  foon  followed  by  another,  inicribed  to  the  of- 
ficers and  foldiers  in  the  continental  army,  in 
which  he  ufed  a  variety  of  infinuating  arguments, 
and  offered  them  large  pay  and  promotion,  to  al- 
lure them  to  follow  his  example.  But  all  his  en- 
deavours were  abortive,  and  defertion  wholly  ceaf* 
cd  at  this  remarkable  period  of  the  war.* 

*  Jtaiq/aj,  Pol,  II.  p.  20$. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  V*  445 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

• 

Revolt  of  the  Pennfyhanla  line.  Of  a  number  of 
Jerfey  troops.  Expedition  againft  Morriffania. 
Virginia  invaded  by  Arnold.  Engagement  between 
the  Britlfh  and  French  fleets.  Generals  Phillips 
and  Arnold  ravage  Virginia.  General  Morgan 
defeats  lie  at.  col.  Tar  Id  on,  in  a  bank  at  the 
Cowpens.  Lord  Cormvalti*  purfues  General 
Morgan.  Battle  at  Guildford  court-hoitfe.  Gen. 
Greene  returns  to  South-Carolina.  He  is  defeated 
by  Lord  Rawdon,  at  Camdcn.  He  takes  a  num- 
ber of  Britijh  pofts.  Ninety -Six  bejicged  ;  but  re~ 
lieved  by  Lord  Rawdon.  General  Greene  re- 
treats. His  heroic  rcfolution.  Battle  at  Eutaw- 
Springs.  The  Britifh  driven  down  to  Char  left  on. 


T 


HOUGH  General  Arnold's  addrefs  1781 
to  his  countrymen  produced  no  effect  in  detaching 
the  American  foldiers  from  the  unproductive  fer- 
vice  of  congrefs,  their  lleadinefs  could  not  be  ac- 
counted for  from  any  melioration  of  their  circum- 
ftances.  They  ftill  remained  without  pay,  and 
deflitute  of  fuch  clothing  as  the  feafon  required- 
Thefe  complicated  diflrefles  excited  a  mutiny  in 
the  army,  which  made  its  firil  threatening  appear- 
ance in  the  Pennfylvania  line.  Oa  the  ift  of 
January,  1300  of  thefe  troops  turned  out,  and  pe- 
f cmptorily  refufed  to  fervc  any  longer,  unleis  they 


446  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

178 1.  could  obtain  redrefs  of  grievances.  At  the  fame 
time,  they  repeatedly,  and  in  the  flrongeft  terms, 
denied  being  influenced  by  the  lead  difaifection  to 
the  American  caufe ;  or  having  any  intention  of 
deferting  to  the  enemy.  They  rejected  all  the 
flattering  propofais  which  were  made  to  them,  at 
this  period,  by  the  Britifli,  with  difdain.  They 
even  delivered  two  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  meffen- 
gers  to  General  Wayne.  They  were  tried  by  a 
board  of  officers,  condemned  for  fpies,  and  in- 
Itantiy  executed.* 

IN  order  to  accommodate  matters  with  the  re- 
volters,  commiflioners  \vere  appointed  to  hear  their 
complaints,  and  redrefs  their  grievances.  ,  Upon 
which  they  cheerfully  returned  to  their  duty  in 
the  continental  army.  They  nobly  refufed  a  purfe 
of  an  hundred  guineas,  which  was  offered  them 
as  a  reward  for  their  fidelity,  iu  delivering  the 
fpies. 

ON  occafion  of  this  revolt,  the  commander  in 
chief  dated,  in  a  circular  letter  to  the  four  eaftern 
ilates,  the  well  founded  complaints  of  his  army  ; 
and  the  impollibility  of  keeping  them  together, 
under  the  preffure  of  fuch  a  variety  of  fufiferings. 
General  Knox  was  requeued  to  be  the  bearer  of 
thefe  difpatches ;  and  to  urge  the  ftates  to  an  im- 
mediate exertion  for  the  relief  of  the  foldiers.  He 
vifited  New-England,  and  with  great  earneflnefs 
uefcribed  their  wants  and  diftrefs.  His  energetic 
efforts  induced  the  dates  to  make  advances  for 
iheir  relief.f 

*  Qor-dtn,  Vgl  !'/.>>.  zit     -V   Ram/ay,  Vol.  II  p,   Z-*< 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  1).  447 

THE  fuccefs  of  the  Pennfylvania  revolters  en-  1781, 
couraged  about  160  of  the  Jerfey  brigade,  foon 
after,  to  feek  redrefs  in  a  fimilar  method.  They 
did  nor,  however,  conduct  with  equal  fpirit 
and  prudence  ;  but  committed  feveral  acts  qf 
outrage  againfl:  particular  officers,  while  they 
affected  to  be  fubmiflive  to  others.  Three  of  the 
mod  notorious  of  the  leaders,  were,  by  a  court- 
martial,  unanimouily  fentenced  to  death,  and  ac- 
cordingly executed.  The  others  made  public 
conceftions  to  their  officers,  and  promifed,  by 
future  good  conduct,  to  atone  for  paft  offences.* 

THE  SB  unfortunate  events,  however,  did  not 
damp  the  enterprizing  fpirit  of  the  American  ar- 
my. An  expedition  was  formed,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  General  Parfons  ;  the  executive  part  of 
which  was  confided  to  the  military  addrefs  of 
lieut.  col.  Hull,  againfl:  a  pod  of  the  enemy,  called 
Morriffania.  The  army,  after  contending  with  a 
fevere  florin  of  hail  and  mow,  while  on  a  march 
of  more  than  thirty  miles,  furprized  them  in  their 
huts,  on  the  2 id  of  January,  and  captured  100 
perfons,  with  fome  horfes  and  cattle  ;  and  after  def- 
troying  the  barracks  and  forage,  effected  a  retreat 
in  good  order.  For  this  well  conducted  fervice, 
General  Parfons,  for  his  arrangement,  and  colonel 
Hull,  for  his  intrepidity,  received  the  thanks  of 
congrefs,  and  of  the  commander  in  chief. t 

*    Ram  fay,  Vol.    1L   p.   221. 

f  77*  compiler  of  the  Hi/lory  of  Nei'j  England  has  t  alien  tfo 
account  of  the  expeaiticn  againfi  Morriffania  from  papers,  with 
*whithjke  ivas  f avert  J  I)  Central  #*//,  of  tftwte*. 


448  K  I  S  T  O  R  Y  O  F 

1781.  THE  Britifh  appear  to  have  planned  the  cam- 
^"^  paign  of  1781  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  attack  the 
Americans  in  a  variety  of  places  at  once.  Ac- 
cordingly, in  that  year,  the  war  raged  not  only 
in  the  vicinity  of  New- York,  but  in  Georgia, 
South  and  North- Carolina,  and  in  Virginia. 

THIS  year  General  Arnold  made  a  predatory  in- 
curfioninto  Virginia.  His  force  confiiled  of  about 
1600  men,  and  was  fupported  by  fuch  a  number 
of  armed  veffels,  as  enabled  him  to  commit  exten- 
five  ravages  in  the  country.  The  invaders  firft 
Jan.  5.  deftroyed  large  quantities  of  ftores  in  Richmond, 
and  foon  after  committed  fimilar  devaftations  in 
feveral  other  places.* 

THE  definitive  ravages,  which  were  made  by 
General  Arnold,  and  the  apprehenfion  of  adefign 
to  fix  a  permanent  pofl  in  Virginia,  induced  Gen- 
eral Wafhington  to  detach  1200  men,  under  the 
conduct  of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  to  the  relief 
of  that  ftate.  He  was  alfo  to  urge  the  French  in 
Rhode-Ifland  to  co-operate  with  him  in  attempting 
to  capture  Arnold  and  his  party.  The  French 
commanders  fuppofed  an  opportunity  offered  of 
rendering  eflential  fervice  to  their  allies,  and  ac- 
cepted the  propofal  with  avidity.  A  partial  en- 
gagement took  place,  between  their  fleet  and  that 
of  the  Britifh.  The  contefl  was  nearly  balanced, 
nnd  ended  without  the  lofs  of  a  fhip  on  either  fide. 
The  Britifh,  however,  obtained  the  fruits  ofvidory 
fo  far  as  to  oblige  their  adverfaries  to  return  to 

*  Ram/av.  Vol  II,  />.  226, 


NEW-ENGLAND.  449 

Rhode-Ifland,  without  effecting  the   purpofes  of  1781. 
the  expedition.* 

A  FEW  days  after  this  engagement,  a  convoy  a 
rived  from  New- York,  having  on  board  about  2000 
chofen  troops*  under  General  Phillips,  who  was 
appointed  to  the  command  in  Virginia.  He  foon 
effected  a  junction  with  Arnold,  and  they  fucceffive- 
ly  defeated  thofe  bodies  of  militia,  which  remained 
to  defend  the  country.  In  their  deftrudive  expe- 
ditions, they  fpread  terror  and  defolation  5  and 
deflroyed  property  to  an  immenfe  amount.! 

WHILST  the  royal  forces  were  plundering  Vir- 
ginia, the  war  raged  in  the  two  Carolinas.  The 
fuccefs  of  the  Britifhj  in  reducing  Charleflon,  en- 
couraged them  to  project  an  invafion  of  North- 
Carolina.  Hence  Lord  Cornwallis  began  to  make 
vigorous  exertions,  in  order  to  penetrate  into  that 
Hate.  His  progrefs  was  retarded  by  an  attempt 
made  by  the  Americans,  under  General  Morgan* 
to  gain  poiTeflion  of  the  valuable  diftrift  of  Nine- 
ty-Six. In  order  to  counteract  this  defign,  Lord 
Cornwallis  detached  lieutenant-colonel  Tarleton, 
with  about  1 1  oo  men.  His  force  was  much  fu- 
perior  to  the  Americans,  and  two  thirds  of  the 
latter  were  militia.  With  thefe  fair  profpefts 
of  fuccefs,  Tarleton  attacked  Morgan  at  the  Cow- Jan. 17. 
pens,  a  place  near  Pacolet  river.  The  Americans, 
after  an  obftinate  conteft,  gained  a  complete  victo- 
ry. Upwards  of  300  of  the  Britifh  were  killed  or 
wounded,  and  about  500  prifoners  were  taken. 

*  Ramfay,  Vol.  II.  p.   227.     |  Gcrdon>  Vol.  IV.  p.  62. 
I.  i  i 


4jo  HISTORY    O  1< 

1781.  The  Americans  had  only  twelve  men  killed,   and 
fixty  wounded.* 

THIS  brilliant  fuccefs  entirely  difconcerted  the 
plan  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  He  hoped,  however,  by 
vigorous  exertions,  to  recover  what  he  had  loth 
With  the  expectation  of  retaking  the  prifoners 
captured  at  the  Cowpens,  and  to  make  reparation 
for  the  late  defeat  in  that  place,  his  lord  (hip  in  Rant* 
ly  determined  on  the  purfuit  of  General  Morgan, 
who  had  moved  off  towards  Virginia,  with  his 
prifoners.  The  movements  of  the  royal  troops,  in 
confequence  of  this  determination,  induced  Gen- 
eral Greene  to  leave  the  main  army  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  Huger,  that  he  might  join  Mor- 
gan's detachment,  and  direct  the  motions  of  both 

divifions  of  his  annv. 

j  -**> 

THE  Britifh  urged  the  purfuit  with  fo  much 
rapidity,  that  they  reached  the  ford  of  the  Cata- 
baw  on  the  evening  of  the  fame  day  on  which 
their  fleeing  adverfaries  had  croifed  it.  Before  the 
next  morningj  a  heavy  fall  of  rain  rendered  this 
river  impalTable.  Had  it  rifen  a  few  hours  earlier., 
the  Americans  would  have  had  no  chance  of  ef- 
cape,  and  their  prifoners  would  have  been  retaken 
by  the  enemy.  The  arrival  of  General  Greene 
at  this  time,  who  directed  the  retreat  in  the  mod 
judicious  manner,  was  equally  providential,  f 

AFTER  the  Britifh  had  eifecled  the  paiTage  of 
the  Carabaw,  they  continued  their  purfuit.  The 
Americans  foon  after  croffed  the  Yadkin,  and  fe- 

*    RarafetVi  Vol.    II.  />.   234..        f  Ibid.      Sketc*    of  Ger.tr at 
i  L'Jt, 


NE  W-EN  GL  AND.  451 

cured  the  boats  on  the  north  fide.     The  want  of  1781. 
boats,  and  the  rapid  rifmg  of  the  river,  again  pre-  v^r^ 
vented  Lord     Cornwallis   from     reaching   them. 
Thefe  repeated  providential  efcapes  were  confider- 
ed  by  the  Americans  as  evidences,  that  their  caufe 
was  favored  by  heaven.* 

LORD  Cornwallis  had  difengaged  his  army  of 
part  of  their  baggage,  in  order  to  accelerate  his 
purfuit.  The  Americans,  however,  by  a  rapidity 
of  movements,  and  the  interference  of  Providence, 
eluded  his  efforts,  and  by  the  moft  indefatigable 
exertions,  General  Greene  tranfported  his  army, 
artillery  and  baggage,  over  the  river  Dan,  into 
Virginia. 

IN  this  (late,  he  received  fome  reinforcements  ; 
upon  which  he  returned  to  North-Carolina,  and  en- 
camped  in  the  vicinity  of  Lord  Cornwallis'  army. 
By  a  variety  of  the  beft  concerted  manoeuvres,  and 
by  the  fecrecy  and  promptitude  of  his  motions,  he  fo 
judicioufly  fupported  the  arrangement  of  his  troops, 
that  during  three  weeks,  whilil  the  enemy  remain- 
ed near  him,  he  prevented  their  taking  any  advan- 
tage of  their  fuperioricy,  and  cut  off  all  opportuni- 
ty of  their  receiving  fuccors  from  the  royaiifts.f 

AT  length,  General  Greene  effeded  a  junction 
with  a  continental  regiment,  and  two  confiderable 
bodies  of  Virginia  and  Carolina  militia.  He,  there- 
fore, determined  no  longer  to  avoid  an  engagement. 

THE  American  army   confided  of  about  44ooMar.i$. 
men,  of  whom  nearly  two  thirds  were  militia.     The 
*  Qordont  VoL  IV.  p.    39,  40.     f 


45*  HISTORY    O  F 

1781.  Britifh  were  about  2400,  of  chofen  troops,  grown 
veteran  in  victories.  Lord  Cornwallis,  being  ap- 
prized of  General  Greene's  intentions,  marched 
out  to  meet  him  ;  and  an  action  commenced  near 
Guiidford  court-houfe.  After  an  obflinate  con- 
teft,  which  continued  an  hour  and  an  half,  the 
difcipline  of  veteran  troops  gained  the  vidtory. 
The  battle  was  terminated  by  General  Greene's 
ordering  a  retreat,  when  he  perceived,  that  the  en- 
emy were  on  the  point  of  encircling  his  troops.* 

THE  victory  gained  by  the  Britifh  was  dearly 
bought.  Their  lofTes,  in  killed,  wounded  and  mif- 
fing, were  eflimated  at  532,  among  whom  were 
feveral  officers  of  didinclion.  The  lofs  of  the 
Americans  amounted  to  about  400  killed  and 
wounded.  Lord  Cornwallis  found  himfelf  unable 
to  purfue  the  advantage,  which  his  recent  fuccefs 
feemed  to  promife.t 

SOON  after  this  engagement,  General  Greene  re- 
turned to  South-Carolina,  and  advanced  to  Cam- 
den.  This  place  was  covered  on  the  fouth  and  eafl 
fides  by  a  river  and  a  creek,  and  to  the  weftward 
and  northward  by  fix  redoubts.  It  was  defended 
by  Lord  Rawdon,  with  900  men.  The  American 
army,  confiding  of  about  an  equal  number  of  con- 
tinentals, and  between  two  and  three  hundred  mili- 
tia, was  unequal  to  the  tafk  of  carrying  this  pod  by 
dorm,  or  of  completely  invefling  it.  General 
Greene  therefore  took  a  good  pofition,  about  a  mile 
didant,  in  expectation  of  alluring  the  garrifon  out 

*  Ram/ay,  Vol.  II.  p.  241,  242.     Greenes  Life,  p.  33. 

f  Gordon,  7ol,  IV.  />.  83,  84.     Rwfay*  Vol.  U.  p.  246. 


NEW.  E  N  G  L  AND.  453 

of  their  lines.      Lord  Rawdon,  with  great   fpirit,  1781. 
fallied  out,  and  attacked    General  Greene   in 


camp.  The  defence  was  obftinate  ;  and  for  fome 
part  of  the  engagement,  viclory  evidently  inclined 
to  the  Americans;  but,  in  the  progrefs  of  the  ao 
tion,  the  premature  retreat  of  two  companies  event- 
ually occafioned  the  defeat  of  their  whole  army. 
Their  lofs,  in  killed,  wounded  and  miffing,  was  be- 
tween two  and  three  hundred.  Lord  Rawdon  loft 
258.  After  this  action,  the  Americans  encamped 
about  five  miles  from  their  former  pofition  ;  and 
the  Britifh  retired  to  Camden.  Lord  Rawdon, 
however,  was  foon  after  obliged  to  evacuate  this 
poft. 

GEN.  Greene  continued  to  make  the  mod  vigor- 
ous exertions,  in  order  to  recover  South-Carolina 
from  the  power  of  the  Britifh.  His  efforts  were,  *ri 
various  inflances,  crowned  with  fuccefs.  The  nu- 
merous forts,  garrifoned  by  the  enemy,  fell,  one 
after  the  other,  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 
Orangeburg,  Motte,  Watfon,  Georgetown,  and 
Granby,  were  furrendered  ;  and  they  contained  a 
very  confiderable  number  of  prifoners  of  war, 
•\vith  military  ftores  and  artillery.* 

WHILST  operations  were  carrying  on  againfl 
the  fmall  pofts,  Gen.  Greene  proceeded,  with  his 
main  army,  and  laid  fiege  to  Ninety-Six,  in  whichM»yz$. 
lieut.  col.  Cruger,  with  500  men,  were  advan- 
tageoufly  pofted.  The  fiege  was  conducted  for  a 
corifiderable  time  with  great  fpirit  ;  and  the  place 

t  J'ol  II,  f.  247—249. 


454  HISTORY   O  F 

1781;  was  defended  with  equal  bravery.  When,  at 
length,  the  works  were  fo  much  reduced,  that  far- 
ther refi fiance  would  have  been  temerity,  Lord 
Rawdon  received  from  Europe  a  reinforcement  of 
three  regiments,  which  enabled  him  to  relieve 
this  important  poft.  In  thefe  circumftances,  Gen. 
Greene  was  reduced  to  the  alternative  of  abandon- 
ing the  liege,  or  proceeding  to  an  aiTault.  The 
latter^  being  more  agreeable  to  his  enterprizing 
fpiritj  was  attempted ;  and,  though  the  affailants 
dilplayed  great  reiblution,  they  were  repulfed,  with 
the  lofs  of  150  men  ;  upon  which  he  raifed  the 
iiege,  and  retreated  over  the  Saluda. 

THIS  event  involved  the  American  army  in  great 
diitrefs.  Their  expectations  were  blaited,  when 
in  the  grafp  of  viclory  ;  and  they  were  obliged  to 
feek  a  retreat  in  the  extremity  of  the  country, 
when  nearly  mailers  of  the  whole.  In  this  gloomy 
fituation,  Gen.  Greene  was  advifed  to  retire  with 
his  remaining  force  to  Virginia.  To  fuggeftions 
of  this  kind  he  nobly  replied,  u  I  will  recover 
South-Carolina,  or  die  in  the  attempt,"* 

SOME  unimportant  fkirmimes  took  place,  be- 
tween detached  parties  of  both  armies,  in  July  and 
Auguft.  On  the  9th  of  September,  Gen.  Greene 
having  aflembled  about  2000  men,  proceeded  to 
•attack  the  Britiih,  who,  under  the  command  of 
col.  Stewart,  were  polled  at  Eutaw-Spiings.  A 
molt  obftinate  battle  enfued  in  this  place,  and 
continued  from  nine  in  the  morning  till  one  in 

*  Ram/ay,  Fol  II.  />.  250. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D. 

the  afternoon.  The  American  forces  were  drawn  1781.;  t 
up  in  two  lines.  The  firft  was  compofed  of  miii- 
tia,  the  fecond  of  continental  troops.  As  they 
advanced,  they  fell  in  with  two  parties  of  the 
Britifh,  three  or  four  miles  ahead  of  their  maia 
army.  Thefe  being  brifkly  attacked,  foon  re- 
tired. The  militia  continued  to  purfue  and  fire, 
till  the  action  became  general,  and  they  were 
obliged  to  give  way.  In  the  hotted  part  of  the 
engagement,  Gen.  Greene  ordered  the  Maryland 
and  Virginia  continentals  to  charge  with  trailed 
arms.  Nothing  could  furpafs  rhe  intrepidity  of 
both  officers  and  men  en  this  occafion.  They 
ruined  on  in  good  order  through  a  heavy  cannon- 
ade, and  a  mower  of  mufketry,  with  fuch  un- 
fhaken  refolution,  that  they  bore  down  all  before 
them.  Lieut,  colonel  Campbell,  while  bravely 
leading  his  men  on  to  that,  fuccefsful  charge,  re- 
ceived a  mortal  wound.  After  he  had  fallen,  he 
enquired  who  gave  way,  and  being  informed  that 
the  Britifh  were  fleeing  in  all  quarters,  replied, 
"  I  die  contented,"  and  immediately  expired.  The 
Britiih  were  vigorouily  purfued,  and  upwards  of 
500  of  them  were  taken  prifoners.  They,  how- 
ever, made  a  frem  (land,  in  a  favorable  pofition, 
in  a  ilrong  brick  houle,  and  picketed  garden. 
Lieut,  col.  Wafhington,  after  having  made  every 
effort  to  diflodge  them,  was  wounded  and  taken 
prifoner.  Four  fix-pounders  were  ordered  up 
before  the  houfe,  from  under  cover  of  which  the 
Britifh  were  firing.  The  Americans  were  com- 


456  II  i  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1781.  pelled  to  leave  thefe  pieces  and  retire  ;  but  they 
left  a  flrong  picket  on  the  field  of  battle,  and 
only  retreated  to  the  neareft  water  in  their  rear. 
In  the  evening  of  the  next  day,  lieut.  col.  Stew- 
art, who  commanded  on  this  occafion,  left  70  of 
his  wounded  men,  and  a  thoufarid  Hand  of  arms, 
and  moved  from  the  Eutaws,  towards  Charlefton. 
The  lofs  of  the  Britifh,  inclufive  of  prifoners,  was 
upwards  of  1 1  oo  ;  that  of  the  Americans  about 
500,  in  which  number  were  60  officers.* 

SOON  after  this  engagement,  the  Americans  re- 
tired to  their  former  pofition,  on  the  high  hills  of 
Santee,  and  the  Britifh  took  po(t  in  the  vicinity  of 
Monk's  corner.  In  the  end  of  the  year,  General 
Greene  moved  down  to  the  lower  country,  and 
about  the  fame  time,  the  royal  army  abandoned 
their  out  pods,  and  retired  to  the  quarter-houfe,  on 
Charlefton-neck. 

THE  battle  at  Eutaw,  may  be  confidered  as  clof- 
ing  the  national  war  in  South-Carolina.  The  ex- 
el  tions  which  the  enemy  afterwards  made,  produc- 
ed no  other  effect  than  the  lofs  of  property  and  in- 
dividual lives.  The  crops,  which  the  Britifh  had 
planted  in  the  fpring,  were  reaped  by  the  Ameri- 
cans. "  Hiilory,"  fays  Dr.  Ramfay,  "  affords  but 
few  instances  of  commanders,  who  have  achieved  fo 
much  with  equal  means,  as  was  done  by  General 
Greene,  in  the  fhort  fpace  of  a  twelvemonth.  He 
opened  the  campaign  with  gloomy  profpecls,  but 
clofed  it  with  glory..  His  unpaid  and  half  naked 

•    *•  Gotten,  Vol.ir.p.  168  —  171.   Ramfafi'Fol.  IL  p.  252. 
Gnenis  I-'fe,   p.  100, 


NEW-EN  GLAND.  457 

army,  had  to  contend  with  veteran  foldiers,  fupplied  1781. 
with  every  thing   that  the   wealth  of  Britain,  or 
plunder  of  Carolina  could  procure.      Under  all 
thefe  difadvantages,  he  compelled  fuperior  numbers 
to  retire  from  the  extremity  of  the  (late,  and  con- 
fine themfelves  in  the  capital  and  its  vicinity.     Had 
not  his  mind  been  of  the  nrmeft  texture,  he  would 
have  been  difcouraged  ;  but  his  enemies  found  him 
as  formidable  on  the  evening  of  a  defeat,  as  on 
morning  of  a  victory."* 

*  Ram/ay t  Vol.  1L  p.  254, 


' 

K  K  k 


_.  ._ 


458  rllST  O  R  Y   OF 


CH  APTE  R   XXXVI. 

Lord  CormvaHis  joins  ihe  royal  forces  in   Virginia, 
f/jc   Marquis    de  la    Fayette's    able    movements* 
General  Wayne  attach  the  Brit'ifli  army.     Lord 
Cornwallis  fortifies  Torktoivn  and  Glttcfter.  Plan 
for- Ins  capture.     -Arrival  of  Count  de 
his  fleet.     Admiral  G naves •  engagct 
feet  offChefapcak.     Arnold'*  expedition  Into  Con- 
neclicut.       Lord   Cornwallis  clofely    beftegcd   in 
Torktown.     He  fitrrendcrs.     Joy  of  the  Ameri- 
cans on  that  occqfien* 


ORD  Cornwallis,  foon  after  tloe  bat- 
.  tie  at  Guildford  court-houfe,  marched  to  Wilming- 
ton,  in  North-Carqlina.     Previoufly  tp  his  depart- 
ure from  that  place,  he  received  information,  that 
General  Greene  had  begun  his  fh'arch  for  Camden. 
Though  his  lordfhip  was  apprehenfive  of  danger 
from-  that  quarter^  yety  preferring  the  extend ve 
fcale  of  operations  which  Virginia  prefented,  to  the 
narrow  one  of  prefervmg  pad  conquefts,  he  deter- 
mined to  leave  South-Carolina  to  be  defended  by 
Lord  Rawdon.     Before    the   end   of  April,    he, 
therefore,  proceeded  to  Virginia.     By  the  combi- 
nation of  the  royal  force   previoufly   employed  in 
this  (late,  with  the  troops  which  had  marched  from 
Wilmington,  Lord  Cornwallis  was  at  the  head  of 
a  very  powerful  army  j  and  foon  after  his  arrival, 


NEW.  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  4.59. 

he  was  reinforced  by  1500  men  from  New- York.  1781. 
About  the  fame  time  he  received  information,  that 
three  Britifh  regiments  had  failed  from  Cork  to 
Charleston.  .Thefe  events,  together  with  Lord 
Rawdon's  report  of  the  advantage  he  had  gained 
over  General  Greene,  diffipated  all  his  anxiety  for 
South-Carolina,  and  infpired  him  with  the  mofl 
fanguine  expectations  of  a  glorious  campaign.* 

THE  defenfive  forces,  which  wereoppofed  to  the 
formidable  Britifh  army,  were  principally  entrufled 
to  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  Early  in  the  year, 
as  has  been  already  related,  he  had  been  detached 
from  the  main  American  army  on  an  expedition, 
the  object  of  which  was  a  co-operation  with  the 
French  fleet  in  capturing  General  Arnold.  On 
the  failure  of  this,  the  marquis  marched  back  as 
far  as  the  head  of  Elk.  There  he  received  an  order 
to  return  to  Virginia  to  oppofe  the  Britifh  forces, 
which  had  become  more  formidable,  by  the  ar- 
rival of  a  confiderajple  reinforcement,  under  Gen. 
Phillips.  He  proceeded,  without  delay,  to  Rich- 
mond, and  arrived  there  the  day  before  the  Britifh 
reached  Manchefter,  on  the  oppofite  fide  of  James 
river.  His  prefence,  with  a  body  of  troops,  fecur- 
ed  Richmond  from  the  hoflile  attacks  of  the  Brit- 
yb,  and  faved  the  military  ftores  with  which  it 
was  then  filled.  The  fuperiority  of  the  royal 
forces  was  fo  great,  that  he  had  before  him  an  ar- 
duous talk,  and  was  prefied  with  various  embar- 
rafiments.  In  this  fituation  he  began  to  retire  witt\ 

*  Ramfuj,  y<,i.  IL  />,  255,  356. 


460  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

1781.  his   little  army,   which  confifted   of  about  i coo 
regulars,  200  militia,  and  60  dragoons.* 

LORD  Cornwallis  advanced  from  Peteifburg  to 
James  river,  which  he  crofled  at  Weflown,  and 
thence  marching  through  Hanover  county,  crofied 
the  South  Anna,  or  Pamunkey  river.  The  mar- 
quis followed  his  motions,  but  at  a  guarded  dif- 
tance.  The  fuperiority  of  the  Britifli  army  enabled 
them  to  traverfe  the  country  in  all  directions.  In 
the  courfe  of  their  marches,  and  countermarches, 
immenfe  quantities  of  pioperty  were  deftroyed, 
many  unimportant  fkirmifhes  took  place,  and  many 
partial  conquefts  were  made,  without  any  perma- 
nent effect.  Lord  Cornwallis  defpifed  the  youth 
of  his  opponent,  and  unguardedly  wrote  to  Great- 
Britain,  u  The  boy  cannot  efcape  me."  The  young 
marquis,  however,  acted  with  fo  much  caution, 
made  fo  judicious  a  choice  of  pofts,  and  exhibited 
fo  much  vigor  and  defign  in  his  movements,  as  to 
prevent  any  advantage  being  tajcen  of  his  weak- 
nefs  He  effected  a  junction  at  Racoon  Ford  with 
General  Wayne,  who  was  at  the  head  of  800 
Pennfylvanians.  Whilfl  this  junction  was  forming, 
the  Britiih  got  between  the  American  army  and  its 
(lores,  which  had  been  removed  from  Richmond 
to  Abemarle  old  court-houfe.  The  marquis  had 
the  addrefs  to  extricate  himfelf  from  this  difficulty. 
By  forced  marches  he  arrived  within  a  few  miles 
of  the  enemy,  when  they  were  two  days  march 
from  Abemarle  court-houfe,  and  opened  in  the 
night  a  nearer  road,  which  had  been  long  difufed, 

*   Girtt'9*,  FoL  IF.  p.   no.     Ramfaj^  V*l.  II.  p.  257. 


NEW -E',N,G  L  AND.  461 

and  was  much  embarrafTed.      To  the  furprize  of  1781. 
Lord  Cornwallis,  the.  marquis  fixed  himfelf  the  next  Jun.iS. 
day  in   a  ftrong  petition,  between  the  Britifh  ar- 
my  and  the  American  (tores.* 

THIS  judicious  movement  deranged  the  plans  of 
the  Britifli  general,  and  induced  him  to  commence 
a  retrograde  movement  to  Richmond.  About  this 
time,  the  marquis'  army  was  reinforced  by  Steu- 
ben's  troops,  and  by  militia,  from  the  parts  adja* 
cent.  He  followed  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  had  the 
addrefs  to  imprefs  him  with  an  idea,  that  the  Ame- 
rican army  was  much  greater  than  it  really  was. 
His  lordfhip,  therefore,  retreated  to  Wiiliamlburg. 
The  day  after  the  main  body  of  the  Britifh  army 
arrived,  their  rear  was  attacked  by  an  American 
light  corps,  under  col.  Butler,  and  fuftained  a  cou- 
fiderable  lofs.f 

ABOUT  the  time  Lord  Cornwallis  reached  Wil- 
liamfburg,  he  received  intelligence  from  New- 
York,  exhibiting  the  danger,  to  which  that  city 
was  expofed,  from  a  combined  attack,  that  was 
laid  to  be  threatened  by  the  allies.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton ,  therefore,  required  his  lordihip  to  lend 
him  a  detachment,  if  he  was  not  engaged  in  any 
important  enterprize  ;  and  recommended  to  him 
a  healthy  flation,  with  an  ample  defenfive  poll,  till 
New- York  mould  be  out  of  danger.  Lord  Corn- 
wallis,  in  order  to  comply  with  this  requisition,  de- 
termined to  retire  to  Portfmouth,  judging  that 
he  could  more  eafily  maintain  that  poft,  \viih  a 
diminifhed  force,  than  his  prefent  pofition.  For 
*  Gordon,  rol.lF.f.  111  —  116.  f  Ra»S*J»  V^l.  1L  ;,  258. 


HIST  O  R  Y    OF 

1781.  the  execution  of  this  plan,  he  was  obliged  to  crofs 
v^v>-;  James  river.  The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  fuppof- 
mg  this  to  be  a  favorable  opportunity  for  acting 
offenfively,  advanced  on  the  Britifh.  General 
Wayne,  being  informed,  that  the  main  body  of 
the  royal  forces  had  crofled  the  river,  pufhed  for- 
ward with  800  men,  to  harrafs  their  rear.  Con- 
trary to  his  expectations,  he  found  the  whole 
Britifh  army  ready  to  oppofe  him.  With  great 
prefence  of  mind,  he  extricated  himfelf  from  his 
perilous  fituation,  by  boldly  attacking  and  engag- 
July6.  ing  them  with  fpirit ;  and  then  retreating  with  the 
utmoft  expedition.  Lord  Cornwallis,  iufpecting 
the  whole  was  a  fcheme  to  draw  him  into  an  ambuf- 
cade,  did  not  purfue.  The  Britifh  palled  the  river 
at  night,  and  retired  to  Portfmouth  without  mo- 
leftation.* 

LORD  Cornwallis  had  previoufly  taken  the  ne- 
ceffary  fteps  for  forwarding  part  of  his  army  to 
New-York.  But  before  they  failed,  an  exprefs  ar- 
rived from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  a  letter,  allow- 
ing him"to  detain  the  whole  of  the  forces  under 
his  command,  exprefting  his  preference  of  Wil- 
liamfburg  to  Portfmouth,  for  the  reildence  of  the 
army,  and  his  defire  that  Old  Point  Comfort,  or 
Hampton  Road,  mould  be  fecured  as  a  ftation  for 
line  of  battle  mips.  It  being  a  principal  objecl:  of 
the  campaign  to  fix  on  a  ftrong  permanent  poft  or 
place  of  arms  in  the  Chefapeak,  for  fecurity  of  both 
the  army  and  navy,  and  the  places  above  mention- 
ed having  been  found  unfit  for  this  purpofe,  York* 

*  Ramjayt  Vol,  II.  p,  359.     Ltndruxi,  Vol.  II.  f.  370. 


NE  W-EN45I.  A^D. 

town  and  Gloceiler-Point  were  confidered  as  moil  i/^*- 
likely  to  aecoj'd;  to  the  views  of  the  -royal  command-  — 
ers.     Lord  Cornwallis  therefore  evacuated    Portf» 
mouth,  and  ailiduoufly   applied  himlelf  to  fortjify 
thofe  pofls,   and  fender   them  equally  refpe&ablej 
by  land  and  water.     His- whole  force  amounted- to 
about  7000  excellent  troops** 

WHILST  his  iordfhip  was  thus  exerting  himfelf 
to  render  his  poft  impregnable  ;  the  combined  ar- 
my of  French  and  Americans  were  equally  active 
in  their  attempts  to  repel  their  enemies,  and  hoped, 
by  vigorous  exertions,  to  put  a  period  to  the  war. 

THE   plan  of  the  whole  campaign  had  been  fix- 
ed at  Weathersfield,  in  an  interview  between   Gen-i 
erais  Wafhington,  Knox  and  du  Portal,  on  the  part 
of  the  Americans,  and  the  Count  de  Rochambeau 
and  the  chevalier  Chafteleux,  on  the  part  of  the 
French.     This  was  to  lay  fiege  to  New- York j-. in- 
concert' with -a  French  fleet,  which  was  to  arrive  on 
the  coa'ft  in  the  month  of  Au-gufl.     It  was  agreed 
that  the  French  troops  fhould  march  towards  the 
North-river.     Letters  were  addreifed  to  the  execu- 
tive   officers    of    New-Hampfhire,   Mafiachufetts, 
Connecticut  and  New- Jerfey,  requiring,    among 
other  things,  militia  to  the  amount  of  6200.     The 
French  troops  marched  from  Rhode-Ifland  in  June^ 
and  early  in  the  following  month  joined  the  Ame- 
rican army.     About  the  time  this  junction  was  ef- 
fected,   General  Wafhington  inarched  his    army 
from  their  winter  encampment  near  Peek's  kill,  to 
the  vicinity  of  King's  Bridge.      He  was,  however, 

oi.ir.p*  185. 


464  HIS  T  O  R  Y   OF 

1781.  after  thefe  introductory  movements,  deterred  from 
executing  his  plan  by  the  infufficiency  of  his 
forces.* 

DR.  Ramfay  obferves,  that,  "  the  tardinefs  of 
the  ftates,  which  at  other  times  had  brought  them 
near  the  brink  of  ruin,  wasatprefent  the  accidenN 
al  caufe  of  real  fervice.  Had  they  fent  forward 
their  recruits  for  the  regular  army,  and  their  quo- 
tas of  militia,  as  was  expected,  the  fiege  of  New- 
York  would  have  commenced  in  the  latter  end  of 
July,  or  early  in  Auguft.  Whilft  the  feafon  was 
wafting  away  in  expectation  of  thefe  reinforce- 
ments. Lord  Cornwaliis,  as  has  been  related,  fixed 
himfelf  near  the  capes  of  Virginia.  His  fituation 
there,  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement  of  3000  Ger- 
mans from  Europe  at  New- York,  the  fuperior 
ftrength  of  the  garrifon,  the  failure  of  the  dates  in 
filling  up  their  battalions,  and  embodying  their 
militia,  and  efpecially  the  recent  intelligence  from 
Count  de  Graife,  that  his  deftination  was  fixed  to 
the  Chefapeak,  concurred,  about  the  middle  of 
Auguft,  to  make  a  total  change  of  the  plan  of  the 
campaign." 

THE  American  commander  ftill  kept  up  the  ap- 
pearance of  an  intention  to  attack  New- York,  in 
order  to  amufe  and  deceive  the  Britifh  general. 
Whilft  this  deception  was  played  off,  the  allied  ar- 
my crofted  the  North-river,  and  patted  on,  by  the 
way  of  Philadelphia,  to  Yorktown.f 

WHILST  the  attack  of  New- York  was  in  ferious 
contemplation,  a  letter  from  General  Wafhington, 

*  G9riUn>rtL  /r.  f.  120,  121.     f  R*mfiyt  Vol.  IL  p.  265, 


NEW-ENGLAND.  4$$ 

detailing  the  particulars  of  the  intended  operation^  1781. 
of  the  campaign,  fell  into  the  hands  of  Sir  Henry  Uor>- 
Clinton.     Under  the  ftrong  impreffion  of  this  in- 
telligence, the  Britifh  commander  believed  every 
movement  towards   Virginia  to  be  a  feint,  calcu- 
lated to  draw  his    attention  from  the  defence  of 
New- York.     Hence  he   bent  his  whole  force  to 
ftrengthen  that  poft,   and  fuffered  the  French  and 
American  armies  to  pafs  him  without  any  molef- 
tation.* 

WHEN  General  Wafhingtori  had  reached  Chef- 
ter,  he  received  the  joyful  intelligence,-  that  Count 
de  Grafle  had  arrived  in  the  Chefapeak,  withAng.jo. 
twenty-eight  fail  df  the  line,  from  the  Weft- In- 
dies.  The  count,  on  his  pafiage,  fell  in  with 
and  took  a  packet  from  Charlefton,  having  Lord 
Rawdon  on  board*  who  was  on  his  return  to 
Great-Britain. 

COUNT  de  Graffe,  with  the  iitmoft  expedition, 
blocked  up  York-river,  with  three  large  (hips  and 
fome  frigates,  and  moored  the  principal  part  of 
his  fleet  in  Lynhaven-bay.  In  order  td  relieve 
Lord  Cornwallis,  Admiral  Greaves,  with  a  Britifh 
fleet,  appeared  off  the  capes  of  Virginia.  The  French 
admiral,  with  his  fuperior  fleet,  went  out  to  meet 
him,  and  an  indecifive  engagement  took  place* 
In  the  beginning  of  September,  Count  de  Graffe's 
fleet  was  joined  by  eight  fail  of  men  of  war,  from 
Rhode-Iiland,  under  M.  Barras.  After  the  French 
fleet  had  obtained  fuch  a  fuperiority,  Admiral 

*  Ram/ay,  VoL  11.  p.  2^6.     Gordon  »rvl.  11\  /.  1 8s. 

L  L 


466  HIST  O  U  Y    O  F 

1781.  Greaves  foon  took  his  departure*  and  M.  de  Gratfe 

v^v^1  re-entered  the  Chefapeak. 

GENERAL  Washington  and  Cotint  Rocham- 
beatf  reached  Williamfburg  on  the  i4th  of  Sep- 
tember. They,-  with  Generals  Chafteleux,  du 
Portal  and  Knox*  proceeded  to  viiit  Count  de 
Grade  on  board  his  fhip,  the  Ville  de  Paris,  and 
agreed  on  a  plan  of  operations.* 

Sep. 6.  *  WHILST  the  combined  armies  were  advancing 
to  the  fiege  of  Yorktuwn,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  dif- 
patched  General  Arnold,  with  a  iuffkient  land 
and  marine  force,  to  Connecticut,  in  order  to 
ravage  New-London,  and  lay  wafte  his  native 
country.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  Brifiih  troops 
in  that  place,  Fort-Grifwold,  on  Groton  hill,  was 
lorio  Lilly  attacked  by  lieutenant- cc-1.  Lyre,  who 
commanded  one  of  the  detachments  employed  in 
the  expedition.  The  garrifon  defended  themfelves 
with  great  tefohition,  but,  after  a  fe?ere  conflict 
of  forty  minutes,  the  fort  was  carried  by  the  af- 
failants.  Upon  which  a  fevere  execution  took 
place,  though  refiftance  had  ceafed  on  the  part  of 
the  Americans.  The  brave  col.  Ledyard,  who 
commanded  the  fort,  was  flain  with  his  own  fword, 
-after  he  had  furrendered.  Sixty  dwelling-houfes, 
m  New-London,  and  eighty-four  flores,  were  re- 
duced to  alhes.  The  lofs  which  the  Americans 
fuilained,  by  the  deftrudion  of  naval  ftores,  of 
provifions  and  merchandize,  was  immenfe.  Gen, 
Arnold,  having  completed  the  object  of  the  expe- 
dition, .returned  in  eight  days  to  New-York. f 

*  Ramfay>  Vol,  //,  f,  267,       -f-  MM,  f.   275- 


NEW  *  i:  N  G  L  A  N  I).  46? 

THE  combined  forces  proceeded  on  their  way  1781, 
to  Yorktown,  partly  by  land,  and  partly  down 
the  Chefapeakp  The  whole,  together  with  a 
body  of  Virginia  militia,  under  the  command  of 
General  Neifon,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to 
12,000  men,  render  voufpd  at  Wiliiamiburg,  on 
the  25th  of  September,  and  in  five  days  mor§ 
moved  down  to  the  inveftiture  of  Yorktown, 
The  French  fleet,  at  the  f^me  time,  moved  to  the 
mouth  of  York-river,  and  took  a  petition,  which 
was  calculated  to  prevent  Lord  Cornwallis,  either 
froni  retreating,  or  receiving  fuccor  by  water. * 

IN  the  mean  time,  the  royal  army  were  exert- 
ing  themfelves  to  the  utmoil  to  ftrengthen  thei? 
works,  and  their  artillery  was  conitantly  employ- 
ed in  impeding  the  operations  of  the  combined 
army.  On  the  gth  and  loth  of  October,  the 
French  and  Americans  opened  their  batteries,  and 
a  tremendous  roar  of  cannon  and  mortars  wa$ 
continued  for  fix  or  eight  hours,  without  ceafing. 

ON  the  inh,  the  befiegers  commenced  the  fer 
cond  parrallel,  two  hundred  yards  from  the  works 
of  the  befieged.  Two  redoubts,  which  were  adr 
vanced  on  the  left  of  the  Britiih,  greatly  retarded 
the  progrefs  of  the  combined  army  ;  it  was,  there* 
fore,  determined  to  attack  both  at  the  fan;e  hour. 
To  excite  a  fpirit  of  emulation,  the  reduction  of 
the  one  was  committed  to  the  French,  of  the 
other  to  the  Americans.  Both  detachments  hav* 
ing  pafled  the  abbatis  and  palifades  with  unloaded 
mufketSj  carried  them  in  a  few  minutes.  The 

ti  Vol.  IL  p.  268, 


468  HISTORY    OF 

1781.  Americans  had  only  8  men  killed,  and  28  wound- 
ed ;  but  the  French  loft  a  confiderable  number 
of  men.* 

THE  allied   army   continued   to  carry  on  the 
fiege  with  great  fuccefs.     By  this  time  the  bat- 
teries  of  the  befiegers  were  covered  with  nearly 
an  hundred  pieces  of  heavy   ordnance,  and  the 
works  of  the  befieged  were  fo  deftroyed,  that  they 
could  fcarcely  mew  a  fmgle  gun.     Lord  CornwaL 
lis  was  now  driven  to  the  difagreeable  alternative, 
either  to   furrender,  or  attempt   an  efcape.     He 
determined  on  the  latter.     Boats  were  prepared, 
under  different  pretences,   to  receive  the  troops 
in  the  night,  and  tranfport   them  to  Glocefter- 
Point.     After  one  embarkation  had  arrived  at  the 
place  of  their  deftination,  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  troops  were  landed,  the  weather,  which  was 
before  moderate  and  calm,  inftantly  changed  to 
a   moft  violent  florm  of  wind  and  rain.      The 
boats,  with  the  remaining  troops,  were  all  driven 
down  the  river,  and  the  defign  of  palling  over 
was  not  only  entirely  fruftrated,  but  the  abfence 
of  the  boats   rendered  it  impoiiible  to  bring  the 
troops  from  Glocefter.     Thus  weakened  and  di- 
vided,   the   army  was  expofed  to  great  danger. 
However,  the  boats  returned,  and  the  troops  were 
brought  back  in  the  courfe  of  the  forenoon,  with 
very  little  lofs.f 

THE  failure  of  this  fcheme  involved  the  Brit- 
ifh  army  in  extreme  diftrefs.  Their  works  were 
finking  under  the  weight  of  the  French  and  Amer- 

*  Ramfaj,  Vol.  11.  p.  269,  270.     f  Gordon,  VoLT/.  p.  194. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  469 

scan  artillery.  All  hopes  of  relief  from  New-  1781. 
York  were  over,  and  the  fpirits  of  the  royal  ar* 
rny  exhaufted  by  their  unremitting  fatigue.  In 
this  defperate  fituation,  Lord  Cornwallis  fent  a 
letter  to  General  Wafliington,  requeuing  a  cek 
lation  of  arms  for  twenty-four  hours,  and  that 
commiilioners  might  be  appointed,  for  digefting 
the  terms  of  capitulation.  Commiffioners  were 
accordingly  appointed  ;  and  on  the  fide  of  the 
Allies  were  Vifcount  de  Noailles  and  lieutenant- 
colonel  Laurens.  The  father  of  the  latter  of  thefe 
gentlemen  was,  at  this  period,  clofely  confined 
in  the  Tower  of  London,  of  which  Earl  Corn- 
wallis was  conflable.  By  this  fingular  combina- 
tion of  circumftances,  his  lordfhip  became  a  prif- 
oner  to  the  fon  of  his  own  prifoner.* 

ON  the  1 9th  of  Oftober,  the  pods  of  York- 
town  and  Glocefter  were  furrendered.  The  hon- 
or of  marching  out  with  colors  flying,  which  had 
been  denied  to  Gen.  Lincoln,  was  now  refufed 
to  Lord  Cornwaliis  ;  and  Lincoln  was  appointed 
to  receive  the  fubmiilion  of  the  royal  army  at 
Yorktown,  precifely  in  the  fame  manner  his  own 
had  been  conducted,  about  eighteen  months  be* 
fore,  at  Gharlefton.f 

THE  regular  troops  of  France  and  America,  em- 
ployed in  this  fiege,  confided  of  about  7000  -of 
the  former,  and  5500  of  the  latter  ;  and  they  weie 
afiided  by  about  4000  militia.  On  the  part  of  the 
combined  army,  about  300  were  killed  or  wound- 
ed. On  the  part  of  the  Britifh,  about  ;oo  ;  and 

*  Garden,  Vol.  IV.  ^194,     f  Ramjay,  Vql.  II.  p.  271. 


473  HISTORY   O  F 

1781.  70  were  taken  in  the  redoubts,  which  were  florin- 
ed  on  the  i4th  of  Oftober.* 

A  BRITISH  fleet,  deftined  for  the  relief  of  Lord 
Cornwallis,  arrived  off  the  Chefapeak,  the  fifth  day- 
after  his  furrender  ;  but  on  receiving  intelligence 
of  this  event,  they  returned  to  New-York. 

THE  reduction  of  the  Britifh  army  was  confid- 
ered  as  decifive  of  the  independence  of  America  j 
and  occafioned  unufual  tranfports  of  joy  in  the 
breads  of  the  whole  body  of  the  people.  Well 
authenticated  teftimony  afferts,  that  the  nerves  of 
fome  were  fo  agitated,  as  to  produce  convulfions, 
and  that  at  lead  one  man  expired  under  the  tide  of 
pleafure  which  flowed  in  upon  him,  when  informed 
of  Lord  CornwalUY  furrender.f  Gen.  Washington 
manifefted  Lii  exultation,  by  a  general  releafe  of 
thofe  who  were  under  arrefl,  in  order  to  diffufe 
univerfal  joy.  Two  days  after  the  capitulation, 
divine  iervice  was  performed  in  all  the  brigades  of 
the  American  army?  in  order  to  return  thanks  to 
the  Almighty,  for  this  great  event ;  and  the  com- 
mander in  chief  recommended  to  all  the  troops  that 
were  not  upon  duty,  that  they  fhould  affift  at  divine 
fervice,  "  with  a  ferious  deportment,  and  with  that 
fenfibiiity  of  heart,  which  the  recollection  of  the 
furprizing  and  particular  interpofition  of  Provi- 
dence in  their  favor  claimed.55}. 

CONGRESS,  on  receiving  official  accounts  of  the 
great  events,  which  had  taken  place  at  Yorktown, 
refolved  to  go  in  proceflion  to  church,  and  return 

*  Ram/ay,  Jrel.  11.  p,  271.     f  The  door  keeper  ofCougrefi* 
I  Ibid,  p.  273. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  471 

their  public  acknowledgments  to  the  Deity,  foi  the  1781. 
advantages  they  had  gained.  And  the  i3th  of 
December  was  appointed  ,  to  be  obferved  as  a  day 
of  thankfgiving  and  prayer  throughout  the  United 
States.  The  thanks  of  congrefs  were  voted  to 
Gen.  Wafhington,  and  to  the  French  commanders, 
by  fea  and  land.  The  fmgulaily  inteiefting  event 
of  captivating  a  fecond  royal  army,  was  univerfal- 
ly  confidered  as  clofing  the  fcene  of  the  American 
war.* 

IN  about  three  months  after  the  capture  of  Lord 
Cornwallis  was  known  in  Great-Britain,  *the  king 
and  parliament  refolved  to  abandon  all  offenfive 
operations  in  America*  In  confequence  of  this, 
every  idea  of  conquefl  being  given  up,  arrange- 
ments were  made  for  withdrawing  the  royal  forces 
from  Georgia  and  South-Carolina,  and  Rationing 
them  in  Nevv-York.f 

DURING  the  war,  the  fufferings  of  the  American 
prifoners  were  extreme.  Vaft  numbers  were  con- 
fined in  prifon-fhips,  almofl  famifhed  with  hunger  ; 
and  in  the  moft  deplorable  circumftances  preffed 
to  join  the  royal  fervice.  However  reprehenfible 
the  Britifh  may  have  been,  indifcriminate  cenfure 
would  be  unjuft.  General  Carlton,  during  his 
command,  conducted  towards  the  American  pri- 
foners with  a  degree  of  humanity,  that  reflects  the 
bigheft  honor  on  his  character.  The  refugees,  in 
general, treated  the  prifoners  with  more  cruelty  than 
the  Britifh.  As  an  inftance  of  this,  captain 
Joihua  Huddy,  who  commanded  a  fmall  party  of 

*  Ramfay,  Pol.  II.  /.  274.     |  Lendrum,  VuL  lip.  386, 


Ii  I  S  T  O  R  Y  0  F 

1781.  Americans,  was  by  them  taken  priibner,  and  exe« 
cuted,  after  afevere  confinement.  General  Wafh- 
ington,  having  in  vain  applied  to  the  Britifh  to 
deliver  up  the  murderers  of  Huddy«  was  reduced 
to  the  difagreeable  necefiity  of  retaliating.  Captain 
John  Afgill,  a"  young  gentleman  of  great  accomplifh- 
ments,  was  defigriated  by  lot  for  that  purpofe.  In 
the  mean  time  Gen.  Washington  received  a  letter 
from  the  Count  de  Vergennes,  interceding  for 
capt.  Afgill,  which  was  alfo  accompanied  with  a  ve- 
ty  pathetic  one  from  his  mother,  Mrs.  Afgill,  to  the 
count.-  Copies  of  thefe  letters  being  tranfmitted  to 
congrefs,  they  refolved^  that  the  commander  hi 
chief  be  dire&ed  to  fet  captain  Afgili  at  liberty.  The 
friends  of  humanity  rejoiced,  that  the  benevolent 
character  of  Sir  Guy  Caflton,  who  was  appointed 
commander  in  chief  of  the  Britifli  troops  in  Ame- 
rica, would  fupercede  the  nec'effity  of  retaliation  5 
and  alfo  iri  the  well  founded  ptofpedt  of  a  fpeedy 
peace.* 

*  Ram/ay,  Vol.  II.  p.  281—290. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  473 

. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

E-    VrV«* 

Of  the  foreign  affairs,  which  tended  to  bring  about 
the  general  peace.  'The  United  Provinces  ac- 
knowledge American  independence.  A  treaty  of 
amity  and  commerce  is  concluded  with  them. 
Change  in  the  Britijh  min'iftry.  The  definitive 
treaty  cf  peace  is  concluded.  The  American  army 
diftranded.  General  Wajhington  rejigns  his  com* 
mifflon^  and  retires  to  his  feat  in  Virginia. 

J_  HE  United  States  afforded  few  great 
events,  during  the  year  1782.  This  period,  how- 
ever, was  deeply  interefting  to  thofe  European 
powers,  who  were  involved  in  the  confequences 
of  the  American  war. 

BRITAIN  was,  at  this  time,  attacked  in  every  1782. 
quarter,  where  (he  had  foreign  poifeilions.      After  *-'v>J 
a  tedious  fiege,  the  ifland  of  Minorca  was  furren- 
dered  to  the  combined  armies  of  France  and  Spain,  Feb.  5. 
under  the  command  of  the  duke  de  Crillon,  in 
the  fervice  of  his  mod  Catholic  majefly.     About 
the  fame  time,  the  fettlements  of  Demarara  and 
Efliquibo,  which  in  the  preceding  year   had  been 
taken  by  the  Britifh,  were  taken  from  them  by  the 
French.     They  were  alfo  fuccefsful   in  reducing 
St.  Euftatius  and  St.  Kitts.     The  ifiands  of  Nevis 
and  Montferrat  likewife  fell  into  their  hand*, 
M  M  m 


474  H  I  S  T  O  K  Y    O  I? 

1782.      IN  the  mean  time,   the  Britifh  mini  ft  ry   fent 


fquadron,  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Rod- 
ney, for  the  protection  of  their  pofleffions  in  that 
Apr.  1  2.  quarter-  An  engagement  took  place  between  him 
and  the  Count  de  Grafle,  in  which  the  French 
were  defeated,  with  prodigious  flaughter.  Their 
killed  and  wounded  amounted,  by  computation,  ta 
3000  killed,  and  6000  wounded  ;  while  the  lofs  of 
the  Britifli  did  not  much  exceed  noo  men.  For 
nearly  a  century,  they  had  not  iuffered  fo  much 
in  any  naval  engagement.* 

BY  this  fignal  victory,  the  defigns  of  France 
and  Spain  were  fruftrated,  and  no  farther  enter- 
prizes  were  undertaken  againft  the  fleets  or  poi- 
feffions  of  Great-Britain,  in  the  Weft-Indies. 

OTHER  decifive  events  foon  followed.  Gib- 
raltar had  for  fome  time  been  befieged,  and  the 
Spanifh  monarchy  ufed  every  exertion  to  reduce 
that  important  fortrefs.  For  this  purpofe,  the 
Chevalier  d'Arcon  conftrucled  machines,  which 
were  fo  well  calculated  for  withftanding  the  com- 
bined force  of  fire  and  artillery,  that  they  appeared 
for  fome  time  to  bid  defiance  to  the  powers  of  the 
heavieft  ordnance.  At  length,  however,  the  bat- 
teries were  on  fire,  while  the  befiegers  were  whol- 
ly employed  to  preferve  their  men  from  this  devour- 
ing element.  The  generous  humanity  of  the  con- 
querors on  this  occafion,  redounds  more  to  their 
honor,  than  the  mod  fplendid  victories.  In  en- 
deavouring to  fave  the  lives  of  his  enemies,  the  gal- 
lant and  philanthropic  captain  Curtis  nearly  loft  hh 

*  Ram/ay,  Vol.  If.  f.  294. 


N  E  W-E  N  G  L  A  N  IX  475 

own.     Whilfl  for  the  moft  benevolent  purpofe  he  1782. 
was  along  fide  the  floating  batteries,  one  of  them  <*"vv/ 
blew  up,  and  fbrne  heavy  pieces  of  timber  fell  into 
his  boat,  and  pierced  through  its  bottom.  By  fimilar 
perilous  exertions,  nearly  400  men  were  faved  from 
inevitable  death.     The  complete  relief  of  Gibraltar, 
favored  the  re-eftablifhment  of  a  general  peace. 

WHILST  the  belligerent  powers  were  fucceflive* 
ly  induced  to  think  favorably  of  peace,  Holland 
acknowledged  the  independence  of  the  United 
States.  This  event  was,  in  a  great  meafure,  ef» 
fe&ed  by  the  addrefs  of  John  Adams  (the  prefent 
prefident  of  the  United  States)  who,  upon  the 
capture  of  John  Laurens,  had  been  commiflioned 
as  minifier  plenipotentiary  to  the  States  General  of 
the  United  Provinces.  He  was  alfo  empowered 
to  negociate  a  loan  of  money  amongft  the  Holland* 
ers,  and  was  fuccefsful  in  obtaining  a  feafonable 
fupply,  and  in  concluding  a  treaty  of  amity  and 
commerce,  between  Holland  and  the  United 
States  of  America.* 

IT  was  expected,  not  only  by  the  fanguine  Ame- 
ricans, but  by  many  in  England,  that  the  capture  of 
Lord  Cornwallis  would  inflantly  difpofe  the  nation 
to  peace  ;  but  the  American  war  was  too  much 
the  favorite  of  the  miriiftry  to  be  relinquifhed,  with* 
out  a  druggie  for  its  continuance. 

ON  the  27th   of  November,  after   intelligence  1781. 
arrived  of  the  capitulation  of  Yorktown,  the  king 

*  Ram/ay,  Vol.  ILp  300.  Ibe  pre  fat  present,  and  Mr.Jefer- 
fon,  'were  appointed  joint  commoner 3  for  forming  tommtrcial 
treaties  <witbfore;gn  towers.  They  fuueefodin  their  negotiate* 
(be  king  ofPrvj/ia,  And  th<  em^ror  o 


47t>  HISTORY    O  F 

1781.  of  Great-Britain  opened  the  feffion  of  parliament, 
V~°'"VJ'  with  a  fpeech,   decidedly  favorable  to  the  continu- 
ance of  the  American  war.     The  majority  of  lords 
and  commons  echoed  back  his  fentiments.     How- 
ever, the  minority  daily  gained  ground,  and  oblig- 
ed   the  miniftry,   by  degrees,  to  relinquifh   their 
plans  of  fubjugating  America. 

1782.  AT  this  period,  a  change  of  miniftry  took  place 
M'.r  27  in  Great-Britain.     A  new  adminiftration  was  form- 

ed,  under  the  aufpices  of  the  marquis  of  Rocking- 
ham,  and  was  compofed  of  characters  who  oppofed 
the  American  war.  The  firfl  bufmefs  of  the  new 
minifhy,  was  taking  meafures  for  effecting  a  gene-, 
ral  peace. 

ON  the  5th  of  May,  Sir  Guy  Carlton  arrived 
at  New-York,  and  was  inftru&ed  to  ufe  his  en- 
deavours to  promote  an  accommodation.  For  this 
purpofe,  he  difpatched  a  letter  to  General  Wairi- 
ington,  informing  him  of  the  late  proceedings  of 
parliament,  and  of  the  pacific  difpofition  of  the 
government  and  people  of  Great- Britain  towards 
the  United  States.  He  alfo  folicited  a  paflport  for 
his  fecretary,  Mr.  Morgan,  to  pay  a  vifit  to  con- 
grefs.  His  requeft  was  refufed,  for  it  was  con.* 
fidered,  with  its  concomitant  circumflances,  as  in- 
troductory to  a  fcheme  for  opening  negociations 
with  congrefs,  or  the  dates,  without  the  concur- 
rence of  their  allies.  On  this  occaiion  congrefs  re- 
folved,  "  that  they  would  not  enter  into  the  dif- 
cufiion  of  any  overtures  for  pacification,  but  in  con- 
fidence and  in  concert  with  his  moil  Chriftiaii  ma- 
jefly  j  and  as  a  proof  of  this,  they  recommended 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  IX  477 

to  the  feveral  ilates  to  pafs  laws,  that  no  fubjeft  of  1782 
his  Britannic  majefty,  coming  dire&ly  or  indiredly 
from  any  part  of  the  Britiih  dominions,  be  admitted 
into  any  of  the  United  States  during  the  war." 
This  decifive  conduct  extinguished  all  hopes  that 
Great-Britain  might  have  entertained,  of  making  a 
feparate  peace  with  America,* 

IN  the  mean  time  the  negociations  for  peace  were 
continued.  The  commiffioners,  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States,  were  John  Adams,  Ben* 
jamin  Franklin,  John  Jay,  and  Henry  Laurens, 
On  the  part  of  Great-Britain,  Mr.  Fitzherbert,  and 
Mr.  Ofwald.  Provifional  articles  between  Great- 
Britain  and  the  United  States  were,  on  the  3oth  of 
November,  agreed  upon,  and  figned,  to  take  effect 
whenever  peace  mould  be  finally  fettled  with  the 
couit  of  France.  The  indefatigable  exertions  of 
the  American  commiffioners,  particularly  thofe  of 
Mr.  Adams  and  Mr.  Jay,  procured  highly  advan- 
tageous terms  for  their  country.  By  thefe,  the  in* 
dependence  of  the  ftates  was  acknowledged  in  its 
fulleft  extent.  Very  ample  boundaries  were  al- 
lowed them,  which  comprehended  the  fertile  and 
cxtenfive  countries  on  both  fides  of  the  Ohio,  and 
on  the  eaft  fide  of  the  Miffifippi.  An  unlimited 
tight  of  fifhery  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland, 
and  on  other  places  where  both  nations  had  here- 
tofore been  accuilomed  to  fim,  was  iikewife  con- 
tinued to  the  Americans.  From  the  neceffity  of 
the  cafe,  the  loyalifts  were  facrificed  ;  nothing  fur* 

*  RwSay,  Vol.  II.  p.   30 5. 


47s  HISTORY  C)  F 

1782.  ther  than  a  fimple  recommendation  for  reflitution 
v^vx^  being  ftipulated  in  their  favor.* 

ON  the  3d  of  September,  the  definitive  treaties 
between  Great-Britain,  France  and  Spain,  were 
figned  at  Verfailles,  by  the  duke  of  Manchefter, 
and  the  plenipotentiaries  of  the  faid  courts.  On 
the  fame  day,  the  definitive  treaty  with  GreaN 
Britain  and  the  United  States  of  America  was  al- 
fo  figned  at  Paris,  by  David  Hartley,  Efq.  the 
Britifh  plenipotentiary,  and  the  plenipotentiaries 
of  the  faid  ftates.f 

1783.  AFTER  the  return  of  peace  was  announced,  the 
United  States  were  reduced  to  the  difagreeable  ne- 
ceflity  of  difmifling  their   brave   troops,  without 
paying  them  their  ftipulated  wages.     In  this  emer- 
gency, an  attempt  was  made,  by  fpirited  and  anony- 
mous publications,  to  inflame  the  minds  of  the  of- 
ficers and  foldiers,  and  induce  them,  previoufly  to 
laying  down  their  arms,  to  unite  in  redrefling  their 
own  grievances.     As  foon  as  General  Wafhington. 
was  informed  of  the  nature  of  thefe  papers,  he  re- 
quefted  the  general  and  field  officers,  with  one  of- 
ficer from  each  company,  and  a  proper  reprefenta* 
tion  from  the  flaff  of  the  army,  to  alTemble  on  an 
early  day.     When  they  were  convened,  he  addref- 

.is  fed  them  in  a  pathetic  and  animated  fpeech,  in 
which  he  pledged  himfelf  to  exert  all  his  abilities 
and  influence  in  their  favor  ;  requefted  them  to  re- 
lv  on  the  faith  of  their  country,  and  conjured  them* 
"  as  they  valued  their  honor— as  they  refpecled  the 
right  of  humanity— and  as  they  regarded  the  mili- 

t   Vol.   II.  p.  307.      f  Garden ,  Pot.  IV. 


NE  W.ENGLAND. 

tary  and  national  character  of  America,  to  exprefs 
their  utmoft  deteftation  of  the  man,  who  was  at- 
tempting  to  open  the  floodgates  of  civil  difcord, 
and  deluge  their  riling  empire  with  blood/'*  The 
patriotic  exertions  of  their  beloved  general,  fave4 
the  ftates  from  impending  danger.  The  American 
army  was  diibanded,  and  returned  peaceably  to 
their  refpective  places  of  abode. 

THE  army  being  difbanded,  the  commander  in 
chief  proceeded  to  Annapolis,  then  the  feat  of  con- 
grefs,  to  refign  his  commiiTion,  In  every  town  and 
village  through  which  he  palled,  he  was  Welcomed 
by  public  and  private  demonftrations  of  gratitude 
and  joy.  When  arrived  at  Annapolis,  in  a 
public  audience,  he  refigned  his  commiflion  to- 
congrefs.  A  large  number  of  diftinguifhed  perfon* 
ages  attended  this  interefting  fcene.  The  general 
made  a  pathetic  addrefs  to  the  prefident  of  cofcgrefs, 
exprefTmg  the  war  meft  affection  for  his  country  ; 
and  the  devout  and  grateful  feelings  of  his  heart 
towards  the  Supreme  Being.  The  prefident  re* 
turned  an  anfwer ;  and  the  afTeding  review  of  pail 
fcenes  almoft  deprived  them  of  utterance.  The 
mingled  emotions,  which  agitated  the  minds  of  the 
fpe&ators,  on  this  occafion,  were  beyond  defcrip- 
tion.  Immediately  on  refigning  his  command,  the 
magnanimous  deliverer  of  America  retired  to  his 
delightful  feat  at  Mount  Vernon,  in  Virginia.! 

*  W ajhingtori  i  Softies,  p.  249.  f  General  Wajhington  con- 
J)an(t\  declined 'receiving  any  pecuniary  compenfation  for  bis  inefii- 
toable  /erevicfst  during  the  com  eft  <uith  Britain.  Rum/ay ,  l^ti. 
11.  p.  332,  333,  Gordon,  VtL  1?.}.  388,  389. 


480  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   O  F 

ALMOST  eight  years  had  elapfed,  from  the  com* 
mencement  of  hoftilities  in  Lexington,  to  the  rati- 
fication of  the.provifional  treaty.  "  There  is,"  fays 
Dr.  Gordon,  "  fcarcely  an  inftance  in  hiftory,  of  fo 
great  a  revolution  being  effected,  in  fo  fhort  a  time, 
with  fo  little  lofs  of  lives  and  property."  A  Britifh 
author  allows,  "that  fo  vaft  a  force  as  was  ex- 
erted by  Great-Britain,  had  never  been  fent  to  fo 
great  a  diftance,  nor  was  refilled  by  any  power, 
apparently  fo  unequal  to  the  conteft."* 

THOUGH  war  exhibits  all  the  ferocious  paflions 
cf  human  nature,  and  opens  fcenes  deeply  wounding 
to  the  feeling  heart ;  yet  it  alfo  developes  all  the  en- 
ergies of  character ;  and  during  the  American 
conteft,  we  contemplate  with  admiration  the  love 
of  country,  rifing,  in  many  inftances,  fuperior  to 
every  felfifh  confideration  ;  an  enthufiafm  for  liber- 
ty fupplying  the  place  of  military  difcipline  ;  and 
invincible  refolution,  finally,  furmounting  every 
obflacle. 

THE  American  war  exhibited  the  moft  eminent 
military  characters,  and  brought  to  view  the  im- 
mortal Wafhington,  and  placed  him  at  the  head  of 
an  illuftrious  train  of  heroes.  Among  thefe,  we 
view  the  enterprizirig  Greene,  triumphing  over  the 
Britifh  in  the  fouthern  ftates ;  Gates,  defeating 
Burgoyne  at  Ticonderoga ;  Lincoln,  Putnam, 
Wayne,  St.  Clair,  Mercer,  Knox,  Sumpter,  Moul* 
trie,  Morgan,  MtfHin,  and  many  others,  fhining 
with  diftinguifhed  luftre  in  their  feveral  depart- 
ments. 

*  Stedman's    WJlory  of  the  American 


NEW- EN  GLAND.  481 

THE  energy  of  American  public  councils,  was  as 
Remarkable  as  their  military  courage.  The  pro- 
ceedings of  congrefs,  during  the  war,  evince  the 
moil  determined  refolution,  blended  with  prudence 
and  moderation.  Among  the  many  eminent  men 
in  this  department,  the  illuftrious  Adams  rifes 
preeminent,  and  reflects  immortal  honor  on  the 
political  character  of  America. 

THE  various  beautiful  traits  in  particular  cha- 
racters appear  more  finking,  when  contrafled  with 
the  gloomy  and  diftreffing  images  of  war.  For  in- 
flance,  the  humanity  of  Carlton  fhines  ^ith 
brighter  luflre,  when  oppofed  to  the  cruelty  of 
fome  other  Britifh  officers.  The  amiable  qualities 
of  an  Hale  and  Andre  are  rendered  more  intereft- 
ing,  by  the  fympathy  which  is  excited  for  their  un- 
happy fate. 

THE  numbers  of  brave  heroes,  who  fell  dun  .g 
the  conteil  with  Britain,  will  ever  be  deeply  re- 
gretted by  every  friend  to  humanity,  and  lover  of 
his  country.  Among  thofe  illuflrious  chara&ers, 
we  view  Warren,  Montgomery,  Woofter,  Mercer, 
Campbell,  and  many  others,  who,  animated  with 
glowing  patriotifm,  cheerfully  facrificed  their  lives 
in  the  caufe  of  American  freedom  and  independ- 
ence. 

THE  humane  and  liberal  mind,  rifing  fuperior  to 
local  views  and  prejudices,  will  acknowledge  the 
merit,  and  regret  the  fate  of  numbers  of  the  Brit- 
ifh, who  fell  during  the  conteil.  Among  thefe  we 
behold  Frafer,  Andre,  and  others,  "  to  whom 

N   Nil 


482  li  I  8  T  O  R  Y    OF 

glory  paid  her  Iiigheft  tribute,  and  for  whofe  fate 
even  enemies  have  fhed  a  tear." 

THE  ftriking  divine  interpofitions  in  favor  of 
America,  during  the  conteft,  afford  an  interceding 
fubject  of  contemplation  to  pious  minds  ;  while, 
amidil  the  apparently  uncertain  chances  of  war, 
they  view,  with  grateful  admiration,  the  control- 
ing  hand  of  Providence,  rendering  every  event 
iubfervient  to  the  liberty  and  independence  of  the 
United  States. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  485 

" '"          4d  '  ' •  £      -*  ff1   '  *      i  *•* 

t 


CHAPTER     XXXVHL 

Tlifficuliies  after  the  peace.  Rebellion  inMaffachufetts, 


N 


O  fooner  was  peace  reftored,  by  the 
definitive  treaty,  and  the  Britifh  troops  withdrawn 
from  the  country,  than  the  United  States  began  to 
experience  the  defects  of  their  general  government. 
Whilfl  an  enemy  was  in  the,  country,  fear  gave 
energy  to  the  refolutions  and  recommendations  of 
congrefs,  and  generally  commanded  a  ready  acqui- 
efcence  on  the  part  of  the  flate  legislatures.  Ar- 
ticles of  confederation  and  perpetual  union  had 
been  framed  in  congrefs,  and  fubmitted  to  the 
confideration  of  theftates,  in  the  year  1/78.  Some 
of  the  flates  immediately  acceded  to  them  ;  others 
hefitated,  and  delayed  giving  their  aflent.  How- 
ever, in  March,  1781,  all  objections  to  thofe  arti- 
cles were  overcome,  and  they  were  ratified,  as  thq 
frame  of  government  for  the  United  States.* 

THESE  articles,  however,  were  framed  daring 
the  rage  of  war,  and  under  circumftances  the  mod 
critical  and  embarrafling.  To  have  offered  to  the 
people  at  this  time  a  form  of  government,  armed 
with  the  powers  neceffary  to  regulate  and  control 
the  contending  interefts  of  thirteen  flates,  and  the 
pofleffions  of  millions  of  people,  might  have  raifed 
a  jealoufy  between  the  flates,  or  in  the  minds  of 
the  people  at  large,  that  would  have  weakened 

oL  //,/».  400. 


484  HISTORY    O  F 

1782.  their  military  operations,  and,  perhaps,  have 
rendered  a  union  impracticable.  Hence  the  nu* 
merous  defects  of  the  confederation.* 

ON  the  conclufion  of  the  peace,  when  thefe  de- 
feels  began  to  be  felt,  the  enemies  of  the  revolution 
exerted  all  their  talents  to  increafe  the  popular 
difcontent.  A  remarkable  inflance  of  this  hap- 
pened in  Connecticut.  As  foon  as  the  tumults  of 
war  had  fubftded,  an  attempt  was  made  to  con-? 
vince  the  people,  that  the  act  of  congrefs,  parted  in 
1778,  granting  to  the  officers  of  the  army  half 
pay  for  life,  was  highly  unjuft  and  tyrannical,  and 
that  it  was  but  the  firft  itep  towards  the  eftablifh- 
ment  of  penfions,  and  an  uncontrolable  defpotifm. 
The  act  of  congrefs,  pafled  in  1783,  commuting 
half  pay  for  life,  for  five  years,  full  pay,  was  de- 
figned  to  appeafe  the  apprehenfions  of  the  people, 
and  to  convince  them  that  this  gratuity  was  intend- 
ed merely  to  indemnify  the  officers  for  their  lofles 
by  the  depreciation  of  the  paper  currency,  and  not 
to  eftablifh  a  precedent  for  the  granting  of  penfions. 
This  act,  however,  did  not  fatisfy  the  people,  who 
fuppofed  that  the  officers  had  been  generally  indem- 
nified for  the  lofs  of  their  pay,  by  the  grants  made 
them,  from  time  to  time,  by  the  legiflatures  of  the 
feveral  dates.  Befides,  the  act,  whilft  it  gave  five 
years  full  pay  to  the  officers,  allowed  but  one 
year's  pay  to  the  privates,  a  diflinction  which  had 
great  influence  in  exciting  and  continuing  the  popu- 
lar ferment,  and  one  that  turned  a  large  fhare  of 
the  public  rage  againfl  the  officers  themfelves.f 

*  Morjes  Geography,  Vol.  I.  /».  318.     -f  ibid,  p.  319. 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  485 

DURING  this  fituation  of  affairs,  the  public  1782. 
©dium  againft  the  officers  was  augmented  by  an- 
other circumftance.  Juft  before  the  difbanding  of 
the  army,  they  had  formed  a  fociety,  which  was 
called  by  the  name  of  the  Cincinnati,  after  the 
famous  Roman  dictator  Cincinnatus.  Their  avow- 
ed defigns  were  to  perpetuate  their  friendihip,  and 
afford  relief  to  their  indigent  brethren.  The  of- 
tenfible  views  of  this  fociety,  however,  could  not 
fcreen  it  from  popular  jealoufy.  A  fpirited  pam- 
phlet appeared  in  South-Carolina,  the  avowed  pro- 
duction of  Mr.  Burke,  one  of  the  judges  of  the  fu- 
preme  court  in  that  flate,  in  which  the  author  at- 
tempted to  prove,  that  the  principles,  on  which  this 
inftitution  was  formed,  would,  in  procefs  of  time, 
originate  and  eftablifh  an  order  of  nobility  in  the 
country,  which  would  be  repugnant  to  the  genius 
of  republican  governments,  and  dangerous  to  liber- 
ty. This  pamphlet  appeared  in  Connecticut,  dur- 
ing  the  commotions  raifed  by  the  half  pay  and  com- 
mutation afts ;  and  greatly  contributed  to  fpread 
the  flame  of  oppofition. 

THE  oppofition  to  the  congreffional  acts,  in  fa- 
vor of  the  officers,  and  to  the  order  of  the  Cincin- 
nati, did  not  rife  to  the  fame  pitch  in  the  other 
ftates,  as  in  Connecticut  ;  yet  it  produced  much 
disturbance  in  Maffuchufetts,  arid  fome  others. 
Dr.  Morfe  obferves,  "jealoufy  of  power  had  been 
univerfally  fpread  among  the  people  of  the  United 
States.  The  deftruction  of  the  old  forms  of  gov* 
eminent,  and  the  licentioufnefs  of  war,  had  in  a 
great  meafure  biokea  their  habits  of  obedience; 


486  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y  O  F 

1782.  their  paffions  had  been  inflamed  by  the  cry  of  def- 
"^  potifm  ;  and,  like  centinels,  who  had  been  fuddenly 
furprized  by  the  approach  of  an  enemy,  the  ruftling 
of  a  leaf  was  fufficient  to  give  them  an  alarm.  This 
fpirit  of  jealoufy  operated,  with  other  caufes,  to 
relax  the  energy  of  federal  operations."* 

THE  long  war,  through  which  the  flates  had 
ftruggled,  involved  them  in  a  debt,  which,  on  the 
return  of  peace,  amounted  to  about  forty  millions 
of  dollars.  Though  the  people  were  inftru&ed,  by 
their  conteft,  in  the  nobler  fcience  of  the  rights  of 
mankind,  it  gave  them  no  proportionable  infight 
into  the  mazes  of  finance.  Many  judicious  and 
influential  characters,  fuppofed  the  duties  of  excife 
and  impoft  to  be  antirepublican.  Thofe  meafures, 
therefore,  could  be  adopted,  at  firft,  but  partially, 
and  to  fmall  effect.  The  neceflfary  arrangements 
at  the  treafury  were  wanting.  The  paper  curren- 
cy, which  had  been  emitted  during  the  war,  was 
depreciating  ;  and  it  was  not,  perhaps,  poflible  to 
preferve  the  public  credit,  under  fo  many  difcourag* 
ing  circumftances.t 

To  provide  funds  for  paying  their  continent- 
al debt,  engaged  the  attention  of  congrefs  for 
fome  time  before  and  after  the  peace.  At  length, 
a  fvfrem  of  revenue,  for  funding,  and  ultimate- 
ly paying  the  whole  public  debt,  was  complet- 

1783.  ed,  and  offered  to  the  dates  for  their  ratification. 
By  this  it  was  propofed  to  raife  two  millions  and  an 
half  of  dollars  annually,  to  defray  the  intereft  of 

*  Morfg.  Vol.  11  p.  32Q>%  |  Minot's  Hijtory  of  the  Rebellion 
in  MaJJacbuJettS)  />.  6— 10. 


N  E  W  *  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  487 

the  continental  debt*  The  whole  fyftem  was  tranf-  1783. 
mitted  to  the  ftate  legiflatures,  and  accompanied  by 
an  animated  addrefs,  enforcing  the  propriety  of 
its  immediate  adoption.  Some  of  the  ftates  adopt- 
ed the  whole  of  this  plan  ;  others  partially  compli- 
ed with  it  ;  and  others  wholly  neglected  to  make 
provifion  for  paying  the  intereft  of  the  continental 
debt.  No  efficient  funds  being  provided  for  this 
purpofe,  the  public  fecurities  greatly  depreciated, 
and  were  negociated  only  as  a  matter  of  fpecula- 
tion.  The  officers  and  foldiers  of  the  late  army, 
and  thofe  who  furniihed  fupplies  for  public  exi- 
gencies, were  obliged  to  receive  for  wages  thefe 
certificates,  or  promiffory  notes,  which  deprived 
them  of  the  greateft  part  of  the  reward  due  for 
their  fervices.  The  non  payment  of  public  debts, 
fometimes  inferred  a  neceffity,  and  always  furniih- 
ed an  apology,  for  not  difchargmg  private  con- 
tracts. Public  faith  being  firft  violated,  private 
engagements  loft  much  of  their  obligatory -force.* 
MASSACHUSETTS,  in  her  zeal  to  comply  fully 
with  the  requifitions  of  congrefs,  and  fatisfy  the 
demands  of  her  own  creditors,  laid  a  heavy  tax 
upon  the  people.  The  new  taxes,  which  the 
emergency  of  public  affairs  required,  were  loudly 
complained  of  by  the  inhabitants  of  that  ftate. 
They  could  n.ot  realize,  that  they  had  fried  their 
blood  in  the  field,  to  be  loaded  with  opprellive  bur- 
dens at  home.  Their  ideas  of  freedom  were  fo 
high  wrought,  that  it  was  difficult  for  the  legifla- 
ture  either  to  govern,  without  appearing  to  tyran- 

*  Ram  fay,  Vol.  II.  p.  337. 


HISTORY  o  F 

1783.  nize,  or  to  relieve,  without  appearing  to  be  over- 
Come.* 

THE  commotions,  which  took  place  in  MafTachu- 
fetts  at  this  period,  were  owing  to  the  following 
caufesj,  viz.  A  heavy  debt  lying  on  the  ftate,  add- 
ed to  burdens  of  the  fame  nature,  upon  almofl 
every  incorporation  within  it  ;  a  decline,  or  rather 
an  extinction  of  public  credit  5  a  relaxation  of 
manners,  and  a  free  ufe  of  foreign  luxuries  ;  a  de- 
cay of  trade  and  manufactures,  with  a  prevailing 
fcarcity  of  money  ;  and,  above  all,  individuals  in- 
volved in  debt  to  each  other.  The  heavy  taxes, 
which  were  at  prefent  impofed  upon  the  people, 
intlamed  their  minds,  and  caufed  them  to  feel  the 
evils  above  enumerated,  in  the  moil  fenfible  man* 
ner.f 

THE  long  reftraints,  which  the  confufion  of 
war  had  laid  upon  the  adminiltration  of  juftice,  in 
private  cafes,  occafioned  a  very  rapid  increafe  of 
civil  actions,  when  thofe  reftraints  were  removed* 
This  cifcumftance  gave  employment  to  the  practi- 
tioners at  the  bar,  and  increafed  their  numbers  be- 
yond what  had  been  ufual  in  the  (late.  The  pro- 
feilion  naturally  became  a  fubject  of  obfervation  ; 
and,  at  length,  was  generally  fpoken  of  as  an  objed 
of  reform.  Advantage  was  taken  of  the  prevailing 
jealoufy  againft  lawyers ;  and,  unfortunately,  a  pre- 
lude to  the  infurreclions  was  framed  out  of  it. 
Inflammatory  writings  increafed  the  prejudice 
againfl  the  profeffion,  till  the  flame  pervaded  the 
greatefl  part  of  government  ;  and  the  lawyer* 

*  Mtnot,  p.  17.     f   Ibid)  p.  28. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  489 

Were,  in  moft  inftances,  excluded  from  the  houfe 
of  reprefentatives.  The  outcry  againft  this  order 
of  men,  Was,  at  length,  drowned  in  more  general 
complaints  ;  and  grievances  arofe  in  all  quarters, 
from  a  variety  of  caufes.* 

THE  general  difcontent  of  the  people  arofe  to 
fuch  a  degree,  as  to  produce  acts  of  violence  in 
MafTachufetts,  in  the  year  1786.  Infurrections  took 
place  in  various  parts,  in  order  to  impede  the  fit- 
ting of  the  courts  of  common  pleas,  and  the  courts 
of  general  feffions  of  the  peace.  At  length,  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  prevent  the  fitting  of  the  fu- 
preme  judicial  court  itfelf,  by  a  number  of  infur- 
gents,  headed  by  one  Daniel  Shays,  who  had  been 
a  captain  in  the  late  continental  army,  but  had  re- 
figned  his  commiffion^  for  reafons  quite  problemat* 

ical.f 

THE  general  court,  which  convened  at  this  dif-  1786. 
trefiing  period,  palled  three  different  laws  for  eaf- 
ing  the  burdens  of  the  people,  viz.  an  act  for  col- 
lecting the  back  taxes  in  fpecific  articles ;  an  act 
for  making  real  and  perfonal  eftate  a  tender  in  dif- 
charge  of  executionsj  and  a&ions  commenced  in 
law  ;  and  an  act  for  rendering  law  proceffes  lefs  ex* 
penfive.  They  provided  for  the  apprehending  and 
trial  of  dangerous  perfons,  but  at  the  fame  time 
tendered  pardon  to  all  the  infurgents.  The  act  of 
indemnity  was  treated  with  fo  much  neglect,  that 
fcaice  a  fingle  perfon  deigned  to  accept  the  benefit 
it  held  up.  The  lenient  fyftem  of  government 

*  M'Vw'i  /,  29—34.     f  A//,  p.  49. 
O  oo 


490  HISTORY  O  F 

1786.  was  attributed,  not  to  their  humanity,  but  to  theif 
timidity  and   weaknefs. 

THE  rebels  ufed  every  effort  to  inflame  the 
minds  of  the  people,  by  the  groifefl  mifreprefenta- 
lion  of  the  proceedings  of  government,  and  of  the 
characters  of  public  officers  ;  they  addrefTed  the 
pity,  an'cf  claimed  the  afliftance  of  the  people  ; 
they  continued  to  afiemble,  and  endeavoured  to  im- 
pede the  meafures  of  government,  by  an  armed 
force.* 

THE   fefolutions  of  the  infurgents  continuing 
thus  hoftile,  a  detachment  of  the  militia,   under 
the  command  of  General  Lincoln,  was  ordered 
out  to  fupport  the  judicial  courts,  and  iuppfcfs  the 
infurredion,  during  the  winter  of  this  year.      Yet 
the  rebels  were  fo  numerous  in   the  counties   of 
Worcefter,  Hampfhife  and   Berkfhire,  and  fo  ob- 
flinately    combined   to  oppofe   the  execution  of 
law  by  force,  that  the  governor  and  eomncil  of  the 
ftate  thought  proper  not  to  entruft  General  Lincoln 
with  military  powers,  except  to  aft  on  the  defenfive, 
and  to  repel  force  with  force,   in  cafe  the  infurg- 
ents ffiould  attack  him.     The  leaders  of  the  rebels, 
however,  were  not  men   of  talents ;    they  were' 
defperate,  but  without  fortitude  j  and  whilft   they 
were  fuppoited  with  fuperior  force,  they  appeared 
to  be  imprefied   with  that  confcioufnefs   of  guilt, 
which   awes  the  moft  daring  wretch,  and  makes 
him  mrink  from  his  purpofe.      This  appears,   by 
the  conduct  of  a  large  party  of  the  rebels  before 
the  magazine  of  Springfield,  where  Gen,  Shepard, 

*  Miit9ttp.  70—?$. 


NE  W.ENGLAND,  49* 

with  a  fmall  guard,  was  Rationed,   to  proteft  the  1786. 
continental  (lores,     The  infurgents  appeared  upon 
the  plain,  with  a  vaft  fuperiority  of  numbers ;  but 
a  few  fhot  from   the  artillery  made  the  multitude 
retreat  in  diforder,  with  the  lofs  of  four  men.     This 
fpirited  condud  of  General  Shepard,  with  the  in- 
duftry,  perfeverance  and  prudent  firmnefs  of  Gen. 
Lincoln,   difperfed  the  rebels,  drove  the  leaders 
from  the  ftate,  and  reftored  tranquility.     An  ad 
of  indemnity  was  pafled  in  the  legiflature,  for  all 
the  infurgents,  except  a  few  of  the  leaders,  on  con- 
dition,  that  they  mould  become  peaceable  fubjecls, 
and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance.      The  leaders  af- 
terwards petitioned  for  pardon,  which,  from  mo- 
tives of  policy,  was  granted  by  the  legislature,  on 
condition,  that  they  {hould  never  accept  or  hoht 
any  office,  civil  or  military,  in  the  commonwealth.* 
THE  ingenious  author  of  the  Hiftory  of  the  In- 
furreclion  in  Maflachufetts,  obferves,  on  this  occa.- 
fion,  that  "  a  dangerous  internal  war  was  finally 
fuppreiTed,   by  the  fpirited   life   of  conflitutional 
powers,  without  the  medding  of  blood,  by  the  hand 
of  the  civil  magiftrate  ;  a  circumftance,  which  it  is 
the  duty  of  every  citizen  to  afcribe  to  its  real  caufe, 
the  lenity  of  government,  and  not  to  their  weak- 
nefs ;  a  circumftance,  too,  that  mud  attach  every 
inan  to  a  confliuuion,,  which,  from  a  happy  princi- 
ple of  mediocrity,  governs  its  fubjefts  without  op* 
prefiion,  and  reclaims  them  without  feverity."t 

*  Mar/f,  ^.322.     f  Minot,  p.  19?. 


492  HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER     XXXIX. 

A  new  conftitution  is  formed.  Of  its  diftinguijhing 
traits.  After  mature  confederation,  it  is  received 
bv  the  United  States..  General  Wafhington  chofen 
prefidenl. 

HE  difagreeable  events  recited  in  the 
foregoing  chapter,  were  overruled  for  great  national 
good.  From  the  obvious  defefts  in  the  articles  of 
confederation,  the  people  were  induced  to  fee  the 
neceffity  of  eftablifhinga  form  of  government,  equal 
to  the  exigencies  of  the  union. 

AGREEABLY  to  a  propofition  made  by  Virginia, 
delegates  from  all  the  ftates,  except  Rhode-Wand, 
afiembled  at  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1787,  and  chofe 
General  Walhington  for  their  prefident.  After 
four  months  deliberation,  in  which  the  clafhing  in- 
terefts  of  the  feveral  flates  appeared  in  all  their 
force,  the  convention  agreed  to  recommend  the 
plan  of  federal  government.* 

"  THE  fundamental  distinction,  between  the  ar- 
ticles of  confe'deration  and  the  new  conftitution," 
fays  Dr.  Ramfay,  e<  lies  in  this  ;  that  the  former- 
acted  only  on  flates,  the  latter  on  individuals ;  the 
former  could  neither  raife  men  nor  money,  by  its 
own  authority,  but  lay  at  the  difcretion  of  thir- 
teen different  legiflatures,  and  without  their  unani- 
mous concurrence  was  unable  to  provide  for  tho 

*   Morjt,  f.  528, 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  IX  493 

public  fafety,  or  for  the  payment  of  the  national 
debt.     The  experience  of  fever  al  years  had  proved 
the  impoflibility  of  a  government   anfwering   the 
end  of  its  inftitution,  which  was  dependent  on 
others  for  the  means  neceffary  for   attaining  thefe 
ends.     By  the  new  confutation,  one  legiflative,  ex* 
ecutive  and   judicial   power  pervades    the  whole 
union.     This  enfures    an    uniform   obfervance  of 
treaties,  and  gives  a  {lability  to  the  general  govern- 
ment, which  never  could  be  attained,   while  the 
ads  and  requisitions  of  congrefs  were  fubject  to  the 
revifion  of  thirteen  legiflatures,  and  while  thirteen 
diftincT:  and  unconnected  judiciaries  had  a  conftitu- 
tional  right  to  decide  on  the  fame  fubjecl.      The 
people  of  the  United  States  gave  no  new  powers 
to  their  rulers,  but  made  a  more  judicious  arrange- 
ment of  what  they  had   formerly  ceded.      They 
enlarged  the  powers  of  the  general  government, 
not  by  taking  from  the  people,  but  from  the  flate 
legiflatures.      They  took  from  the  latter  a  power 
of  levying  duties  on  the  importation  of  merchandize 
from  foreign  countries,  and  transferred  it  to  con- 
grefs, for  the  common  benefit  of  the  union.    They 
alfo   inverted   the  general   government,    with     a 
power  to  regulate  trade,  and  levy  t  ixes  and  internal 
duties  on  the  inhabitants.      That  thefe   enlarged 
powers  might   be  ufed  only  with  caution  and   de- 
liberation, congrefs,    which   formerly  confifted  of 
only  one  body,  was  made  to  confift  of  two  ;  one  of 
which  was  to  be  chofen  by  the  people,  in  proportion 
to  their  numbers  ;  the  other  by  the  ft  ate  legiflatures. 


4$>4  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y    O  F 

The  execution  of  the  ads  of  this  compounded  le* 
giflature  was  committed  to  a  fupreme  magiftrate, 
with  the  title  of  prefident,"* 

THE  prefident  and  vice-prefident,  are  elected 
every  four  years.  The  fenators  are  chofen  for  fix 
y«ars  ;  one  third  of  their  feats  become  vacant  every 
two  years.  The  reprefentatives  are  biennially 
elected.  One  of  the  diftinguifhing  traits  in  the 
conflitution  is,  that  it  is  formed  without  any  civil 
eftabliflmient  of  religion  ;  and  exprefsly  declares, 
"  that  no  religious  teft  fhali  ever  be  required,  as  a 
qualification  to  any  office  or  public  truil  under  the 
United  States/'t 

WHEN  the  new  conftitution  was  completed,  con- 
ventions were  called  in  each  ftate ;  and  the 
queftionof  "  acceptance  or  reje&ion,"  was  difcufied 
with  animation  and  ability.  In  thofe  bodies,  com- 
pofed  of  perfons  who  reprefented,  impartially, 
every  clafs  and  diftinction  of  the  people,  it  under- 
went the  mod  critical  and  fevere  difcuffion, 
Whilft  it  was  in  debate,  the  anxiety  of  all  parties 
was  excited  in  the  higheit  degree ;  the  efforts  of 
its  advocates  and  oppofers  were  unremitted.  Yet, 
however  various  the  fentiments  refpecting  the  me^ 
rits  of  the  fyftcTi,  all  felt  and  acknowledged  the 
neceffity  of  an  efficient  federal  government.  J 

THE  celebrated  John  Adams,  prefent  prefident 
of  the  United  States,  was  abfent  from  America 
when  the  new  conftitution  was  formed  ;  he  being, 
at  that  time,  minifter  at  the  court  of  St.  James'. 

*  Ramfay,  Vol.  IL  p.  34?.  f  See  conflitution  of  the  United 
States  in  Mcrfe's  Geography t  Vol.  II.  p.  235.  £  See  Debates 
of  the  Cowfttti'j*  in  ' 


W-ENGLAtf  ft  495 

to  the  formation  of  the  federal 
eonftitution,  there  weie  county  conventions  in  the 
ftate  of  Maflachufetts,  which  patted  fome  refolu- 
tions,  voting  the  fenate  an  ufelefs  branch  in  the 
eonftitution,  and  they  were  fad  approaching  to  a 
Tingle  aiTembly.  This  fcheme  led  to  the  writing 
of  thofe  volumes,  called  "  the  Defence  of  the  Amer- 
ican Conftitution." 

THE  author  of  this  celebrated  work  advocates,  as 
the  fundamental  principles  of  a  free  jgorernment, 
equal  reprefentation^  of  which  numbers,  or  prop- 
erty, or  both,  mould  be  the  rule  ;  a  total  feparation 
of  the  executive  from  the  legislative  power,  and  of 
the  judicial  from  both,  and  a  balance  in  the  legifla- 
tive,  by  three  independent,  equal  branches.  "  If 
there  is  one  certain  truth,"  fays  he,  "  to  be  colject- 
ed  from  the  hiftory  of  all  ages,  it  is  this ;  that  the 
democratieal  mixture  in  a  eonftitution  can  never 
be  preferved,  without  a  ftrong  executive  ;  or,  in 
other  words,  without  feparating  the  executive^ 
J>ower  from  the  legiflativeV'* 

THE  firft  volume  of  this  work  arrived  in  Ameri- 
ca, wfiilft  the  convention  were  fitting,  to  form  the 
federal  eonftitution,  and  facilitated  its  acceptance, 
by  uniting  the  members  in  one  fentiment. 

"  IN  this  excellent  book,  the  prefident  exprefles 
his  approbation  of  the  principles,  on  which  the 
eonftitution  is  founded.  The  fmglenefs  of  the  ex- 
ecutive power,  its  feparation  from  the  legiflative 
and  judicial  departments,  and  the  divifion  of  the 
legiflative  into  two  branches,  inftead  of  one,  as  M. 

*  Prefa:t  to  Adzm?  Defence  of  tbt  American  Conjlitution. 


40.6  HIST  O  ft  Y    Ofr 

Turgot  and  the  French  theorifts  had  propo'fed^ 
could  not  fail  to  attract  the  approbation  of  this 
great  and  enlightened  flatefman.  His  work  will 
defcend  to  pollerity,  who  will  cofnpare  the  pro-* 
found  principles  it  developes^  with  the  adual  ope- 
ration of  our  conftitudon,  and  will  enjoy  the  pre- 
cious advantage  of  knowing  experimentally,  whe- 
ther we  have  proceeded  as  far  as  we  ought  in  the 
path  he  has  pointed  out^  The  withholding  of  a 
complete  negative  from  the  prefident,  iht  inter- 
ference of  the  fenate  in  appointments  to  office,  the 
mode  of  their  election  by  the  refpeetive  {lares,  the 
want  of  permanency  in  that  body,  fufficient  for 
their  felf  prefef  vation  againft  the  paroxifms  offud- 
den  democratic  intemperance  *  which  have  general- 
ly denied  to  republics  the  enjoyment  of  both  tran- 
quility  and  longevity,  and,  above  all^  the  difcord- 
ant  and  feemingly  anarchial  conflict  of  national 
and  flate  fovereignties,  the  impertutn  in  imperio9  are 
yet  confidered  by  many^  as  deviations  from  a  cof- 
reel:  political  theory.  Thofe,  who  hold  thefe  opin- 
ions, are  willing,  neverthelefs,  to  wait  quietly  for 
the  lights,  that  time  and  experience  will  certainly 
throw  on  the  fubjecl."* 

THE  confutation  for  the  (late  of  MafTachufett? 
was  drawn  up  by  the  prefent  prefident,  and  report- 
ed to  a  committee.  It  underwent  fome  amend- 
ments, and  fome  alterations  ;  one,  which  has  fmce 
been  regretted,  that  of  taking  from  the  governor 
the  power  of  appointing  military  officers. 

*  The  abo^e  remarks  are  made  bj  a  gentleman  of  difihz 
foliticai  talents  and  experience. 


NE  W-ENG  LAND.  '497 

THE  confutations  of  the  Rates  of  Connecticut 
and  Rhode-Ifland,  are  founded  on  the  charters 
which  in  1662  and  1663  were  granted  them  by 
Charles  IT. 

THE  federal  conftitution,  and  feveial  (late  con- 
ftitutions  agree  in  preferring  the  legiflative,  judi- 
ciary, and  executive  branches  of  government  fepa- 
rate  and  diftincl:  from  each  other. 

RELIGIOUS  liberty  is  a  fundamental  principle  in 
the  conftitutions  of  the  refpeciive  dates.  Some, 
indeed,  retain  a  diftinclion  between  Chriftians  and 
others,  with  refpect  to  their  eligibility  to  office ; 
but  the  idea  of  raifmg  one  feel  of  Proteftants  to  a 
legal  preeminence,  is  univerfally  reprobated. 

AFTER  a  mature  confideration,  the  federal  con- 
ftitution was  acceded  to  by  eleven  of  the  United 
States.  The  ratification  of  it  was  celebrated  in  mofl 
of  the  capitals,  with  elegant  proceflions,  which  far 
exceeded  any  thing  of  the  kind  exhibited  in  Amer- 
ica previoully  to  this  period. 

ON  the  ^d  of  March,  1789,  the  delegates  from 
the  eleven  ftates,  which  at  that  time  had  ratified  the 
conftitution,  affembled  at  New-York,  where  a  con- 
venient and  elegant  building  had  been  prepared  for 
their  accommodation.  On  opening  and  counting 
the  votes  for  prefident,  it  was  found  that  George 
Waftiington  was  unanimoujly  elected  to  that  dig- 
nified office,  and  that  John  Adams  was  chofen 
vice-prefident.  The  annunciation  of  the  choice  of 
the  firft  and  fecond  magiftrates  of  the  United 
States,  occafioned  a  general  diffufion  of  joy  among 

pp 


498  HISTORY    O  F 

the  friends  to  the  union,  and  fully  evinced  that 
thefe  eminent  characters  were  the  choice  of  the 
people.* 

ON  the  3oth  of  April,  1789,  George  Wafhington 
was  inaugurated  prefident  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  the  city  of  New- York.  The  ceremo- 
ny was  performed  in  the  open  gallery  of  Federal 
Hall,  in  the  view  of  many  thoufand  fpectators. 
,  The  oath  was  adminjftered  by  chancellor  Living- 
fton.  Several  circumftances  concurred  to  render 
the  fcene  unufually  folemn — the  prefence  of  the 
beloved  father  and  deliverer  of  his  country — the 
impreffions  of  gratitude  for  his  paft  fer  vices — the 
vafl  concourfe  of  fpeftators — the  devout  fervency 
with  which  he  repeated  the  oath}  and  the  reveren- 
tial manner  in  which  he  bowed  to  kifs  the  facred 
volume*  Thofe  circumftances,  together  with  that 
of  his  being  choferi  to  the  mod  dignified  office  m 
America,  and  perhaps  in  the  world,  by  the  unani* 
mous  voice  of  more  than  three  millions  of  enlight- 
ened freemen.,  all  confpired  to  pla-ce  this  among 
the  mofl  aug.uft  and  interefling  fcenes,  which  have 
ever  been  exhibited  on  this  globe,f 

AFTER  this  great  event,  the  federal  union  was 
flrengthened  by  the  addition  of  two  other  dates, 
On  the  24th  of  May,  1790,  a  convention  of  the 
Hate  of  Rhode-Ifland  met  at  Newport,  and  on  the 
czpth  adopted  the  conflitution,  by  a  majority  of  two 
only. 

THE  general*  a  (Tembly  of  Vermont  met  at  Ben- 
Bington,  January  10,  1791  ;  and  chofe  commif- 

*   Mirjfs  Geography,  Vol.  I.  p.  3;:. 

•f-  Ibid,  p   333.     See  Gazette  oj  the  United  States  for  1789, 


NEW. ENGLAND.  499 

fioners  to  attend  congrefs,  and  negociate  the  ac'mif- 
fion  of  that  ftate  into  the  union  of  the  confederated 
ftates  of  America.  The  commifiioners  repaired  to 
Philadelphia,  and  laid  before  the  prefident  of  the 
United  States,  the  ads  of  the  convention  and  le- 
giflature  of  Vermont ;  and  on  the  i8th  of  February, 
1791,  the  admiilion  of  this  ftate  was  completed,  by 
an  ad  of  congrefs,  without  any  debate,  or  one  dif- 
fentient  vote.  By  this  event,  all  the  controverfies 
refpe&ing  Vermont,  were  brought  to  a  conclufion. 
She  was  to  take  her  feat  in  congrefs,  March  4th, 
1791  ;  and  the  federal  union  was  completed,  in 
every  part  of  the  United  States  of  America.,* 

*  Williami  Hijlory  of  Vermont  >  p.  305. 


5co  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y   C  F 


CHAPTER    XL. 

6f  the  jlate  of  literature  in  New -England     The 

condufion. 
J 

jj_  H  E  adoption  of  the  federal  confli- 
tution,  by  fecuring  profpeiity  at  home,  and  ref- 
pectability  abroad,  placed  the  political  affairs  of 
the  United  States  on  a  permanent  bafis.  Since 
that  period,  learning  has  flourimed,  and  new  lite- 
rary inftitutions  have  been  founded. 

DR.  Morfe  obfeives,  that  "  learning  is  more 
generally  diffufed  among  all  ranks  of  people  in 
New-England,  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  globe ; 
aiifing  from  the  excellent  eftablifliment  of  fchools 
in  almotl  every  townfliip."* 

THE  feminarits  of  learning  in  the  United  States, 
have  occaiioned  a  general  diffufion  of  knowledge 
amongil  the  great  body  of  the  people. 

AFTER  the  declaration  of  the  independence  of 
the  United  States,  the  charter,  which  was  granted 
Harvard  college  in  1650,  was  eilablifned  by  the 
confutation  of  MaiTachufetts ;  and  the  governor 
and  lieutenant-governor  for  the  time  being,  to- 
gether with  the  council  and  fenate  of  the  com- 
monwealth, the  preftdent  for  the  time  being,  and 
the  Congregational  minifters  of  the  fix  adjacent 
towns,  were  declared  fucceffors  of  the  board  of 
overfeers, 

*  Morfis  Geography,  VaL  1.  p.  340, 


NEW-ENGLAND.  |pi 

ALL  ele&ions,  to  fill  up  vacancies  in  their  own 
body,  are  made  by  the  corporation ;  they  alfo 
cimie  all  the  executive  officers  j  but  all  thefe  elec- 
tions are  laid  before  the  board  of  overfeers  for. 
their  concurrence,  as  alfo  all  their  votes  for  the 
enaction  of  (landing  laws,  granting  falaries.to  the 
officers  of  the  univerfity,  and  conferring  academi- 
cal degrees.  Other  affairs  refpe&ing  the  univer- 
fity,  the  corporation  manage  according  to  their 
own  difcretion. 

THE  executive  government  confifls  of  the  pre- 
fident,  three  profeffors,  four  tutors,  and  the  li- 
brarian. They  watch  over  the  morals  of  the  ftu- 
dents,  fee  that  the  Handing  laws  are  obeyed,  and 
make  difcretionary  regulations,  in  cafes  not  pro- 
vided for  by  the  laws. 

THE  profeffors  and  tutors  give  inftruclions  in 
the  univeriity.  There  is  a  profeffor  in  divinity,  a 
profeflbr  of  mathematics  and  natural  philofophy, 
and  a  profeflbr  of  Hebrew  and  other  oriental  Ian-* 
guages.  The  two  firfl  of  thefe  profefforfhips  were 
founded  by  Mr.  Thomas  Holiis,  of  London,  mer- 
chant ;  who  alfo  prefenied  to  the  univerfity  a  phi- 
lofophical  apparatus,  and  a  large  number  of  valu- 
able books  ;  the  divinity  profefformip  in  1722; 
the  mathematical  profeflbrlhip  in  1726.  The 
profeflbrfhip  of  Hebrew,  &c.  was  founded  by  the 
hon.  Thomas  Hancock,  Efq.  in  1765.  Thefe  pro- 
feilormips  bear  the  name  of  their  founders.* 

THE  profeffors  deliver  public  lectures  to  all  the 
ftudents  affembled,  befide  which*  they  give  private 

*  Mor/ij  Geography,  Vol.  L  p.  417. 


H  I  S  T  O  I<  Y  O  V 

mflructions  to  each  fcholar  feparately,  in  their 
fevera!  branches. 

EVERY  fpring,  the  profeffor  of  mathematics  and 
natural  philofophy  gives  a  courfe  of  experimental 
lectures  in  philofophy,  in  all  its  branches,  the 
apparatus  furnifhing  him  with  a  complete  fet  of  in- 
fhuments  for  the  purpofe.  Thefe  lectures  are 
given  in  the  philofophy  chamber,  to  the  twoTenior 
claffes  affembled  together,  fo  that  each  clafs  has 
the  lectures  repeated.  Befides  thefe  lectures,  he 
gives  annually  a  complete  courfe  of  lectures  in  af- 
tronomy,  both  theoretical  and  practical,  to  the 
fenior  clafs. 

THE  tutors  teach  the  languages,  rhetoric,  geo- 
graphy, hiftory,  logic,  metaphyfics,  ethics,  the 
elements  of  geometry,  natural  philofophy  and  af- 
tronomy. 

THE  R  E  are  foundations  laid  for  two  profeffor* 
fhips  in  the  univerfity,  which  are  not  yet  come 
into  operation,  viz.  a  profeflbrfhip  of  rhetoric,  and 
oratory,  and  a  profefforfhip  of  natural  religion,  mo- 
ral  philofophy  and  civil  policy.  The  fund  for  the 
firft  was  a  legacy,  left  by  the  late  Nicholas  Roul- 
ftone,  Efq.  of  Bofton.  The  fund  for  the  fecond 
was  from  the  eftate  of  the  late  hon.  John  Al- 
ford,  Efq.  of  Charleftown.  Thefe  funds  are  fad 
accumulating  by  intereft,  and  will  foon  be  fuf- 
ficient  for  the  purpofes  defigned. 

AMONG  the  proficients  and  profeflbrs  of  this 
univerfity,  have  been  men  highly  diftinguifhed, 
both  for  their  natural  abilities  and  acquired  aq% 
complHbments. 


NEW. EN  GLAND.  505 

THE  ftudents  are  inftru&ed  in  the  learned  lan- 
guages, and  the  various  branches  of  the  arts  and 
fciences.  They  are  annually  examined  very  crit- 
ically and  fully  refpe&ing  their  progrefs,  before 
a  committee  of  the  corporation  arid  overfeers.* 

BESIDES  this  committee,  on  the  part  of  the 
overfeers,  who  attend  the  examination,  they  alfo 
appoint  a  committee  twice  a  year  to  vifit  the  col- 
lege, and  ftriclly  to  enquire  into  its  (late*  Thefe 
committees  make  report  to  the  board  of  overfeers, 
and  if  they  judge,  that  by  any  new  regulations, 
the  interefts  of  religion,  morality  and  literature 
can  be  promoted,  they  propofe  them*  The  cor- 
poration more  frequently  meety  and  are  always 
attentive  to  thefe  objects ;  fo  that  great  care  is 
taken  of  the  inftitution. 

FOUR  years  completed  courfe  of  education  in 
the  univerfity,  at  the  end  of  which  term,  if  there 
are  no  circumftances  prohibiting,  the  prefident 
prefents  the  names  of  thofe,  who  have  completed 
their  courfe,  to  the  corporation  and  overfeers, 
as  candidates  for  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  ; 
xvho  vote  them  the  degree,  upon  their  complying 
with  the  exercifes  appointed  by  the  executive  gov- 
ernment. At  the  end  of  three  years,  from  the 
time  of  their  receiving  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts,  they  may  be  admitted  to  that  of  Matter  of 
Arts,  if  there  be  no  lawful  impediment. 

ALL  academical  degrees  are  publicly  conferred 
by  the  prefident,  on  the  commencement  day, 
which  is  on  the  third  Wednefday  in  July  annual- 

*  Mor/e'j  Gtograpfy,  VoL  I.  p.  418. 


5o4  HISTORY    OF 

ly.     This  is  one  of  the  moft  fplendid  anniver  fanes 
in  the  United  States. 

FROM  the  eftablimment  of  this  college,  to  the 
year  1794*  3399  young  gentlemen  had  received 
its  honors,  of  whom  1079  had  been,  or  were  then 
hiinifters  of  the  gofpel.  This  moft  ancient  of  ali 
the  American  literaiy  iriftitutions,  has  furnimed, 
both  for  the  church  and  ftate,  its  full  proportion, 
of  eminently  learned  and  ufeful  men. 

THERE  are  no  fellow/hips,  for  maintaining 
graduates  at  the  univerfity  ;  but  there  is  a  fund, 
from  the  eftate  of  Edward  Hopkins,  Efq.  of  Great- 
Britain,  which  yields  a  confiderable  fum  annually, 
towards  the  fupport  of  fix  refident  Bachelors  of 
Arts,  appointed  by  the  corporation,  which  they 
receive  after  a  certain  term  of  refidence,  and  pub- 
licly delivering  in  the  chapel  four  theological  dif- 
fertations,  two  in  ihe  Latin,  and  two  in  the  Eng- 
lifli  language. 

THE"  late  governor  Bowdoin  left  the  fum  of 
400 1.  "  the  intereft  to  be  annually  applied  in  the 
•way  of  premiums,  for  the  advancement  of  ufeful 
and  polite  literature  among  the  refidents,  as  well 
graduates  as  undergraduates  of  the  univerfity. 
The  prefident  and  fellows  of  the  univerfity  to  give 
forth  fubjecls  to  be  treated  upon,  judge  of  the 
performances,  and  determine  every  thing  concern- 
ing this  donation,  in  fuch  manner  as  they  mall  ap- 
prehend moft  conducive  to  the  defign  of  it." 
The  corporation  have  put  this  excellent,  defign  in- 
to operation. 


N  E  W  -  E  N  G  L  A  N  D.  505 

!!N  the  year  1782,  a  medical  inflitution  ,%as 
formed  in  the  univerfity.  It  confifls  of  three  pro- 
fefformips,  viz.  a  profefibrfhip  of  anatomy  and  fur- 
gery,  a  prof  eflbi  (hip  of  the  theory  and  practice  of 
phyfic,  and  a  profeflbrmip  of  chymiftry  and  mate- 
ria  medica.  Each  of  the  profeflbrfhips  is  eftablifh- 
ed  upon  a  foundation.  Thefe  profeiTors  give  a  com- 
plete courfe  of  lectures  in  their  feveral  branches. 

THE  public  buildings,  belonging  to  the  univer- 
fity, are  Harvard  hall,  Mafiachufetts  hall,  Hollis 
hall,  and  Holden  chapel.  The  library  contains 
twelve  thoufand  volumes,  and  is  continually  in- 
creafing  by  donations,  and  by  the  income  of  a  le- 
gacy, left  by  the  late  Thomas  Hollis,  Efq.  of  Lon- 
don. In  point  of  literary  value,  it  is  equalled  by 
none  in  America,  and  perhaps  exceeded  by  none 
in  the  civilized  world.  The  philofophical  appara- 
tus, whidi  coft  about  1500 1.  contains  'a  complete 
fet  of  inftruments,  for  exhibiting  a  courfe  of  exper- 
imental lectures  in  natural  philofophy  and  aftrono- 
my.  Newly  invented  and  improved  inftruments 
are  frequently  added  to  the  apparatus,  which  is 
far  fuperior  to  that  of  any  other  feminary  of  learn- 
ing in  the  United  States. 

THE  mufeum  contains  a  handfome  collection  of 
natural  and  artificial  curiofities.  It  may  be  faid  to 
be  pretty  rich  in  minerals,  owing  to  the  munifi- 
cence of  Dr.  Lettfom,  of  London,  in  the  year 
1794  ;  and  of  the  French  republic  the  year  folIovV- 
ing.  The  collection  from  thefe  two  fources,  is  ex- 
tenfive  and  various. 


HISTORY    OF 

A  COURSE  of  lectures  in  natural  hiftory,  in 
which  mineralogy  is  particularly  attended  to,  is 
given  every  fpring  and  autumn  in  the  univerfity, 
by  Dr.  Waterhoufe  ;  but  there  is  no  profefforfhip 
of  natural  hiftory  yet  eftablifhed. 

IN  the  year  1797,  3533  young  gentlemen  were 
computed  to  have  received  their  education  in  the 
univerfity  of  Cambridge.* 

THE  other  feminaries  of  learning  in  New-Eng- 
land, were  alfo  in  a  flourifhing  fituation. 

ACCORDING  to  the  original  charter  of  Yale  col- 
lege, the  truflees  were  limited  to  the  choice  of 
minifters.  In  1792,  the  general  aflembly  of  Con- 
necticut panned  an  "  ad  for  enlarging  the  powers, 
and  increafmg  the  funds  of  Yale  college."  This 
aft  grants  a  very  generous  addition  to  the  funds  of 
that  college,  on  condition  that  the  governor,  lieut. 
governor,  andfixfenior  counfellors-,  be  aflbciated 
with  the  corporation,  in  the  collegiate  government. 
THE  corporation,  on  the  28th  of  June,  unani- 
moufly  voted  their  acceptance  of  this  ad  ;  and  this 
tranfaftion  received  the  general  approbation  of  the 
clergy,  and  of  the  citizens  of  every  defcription, 
throughout  the  (late.  At  the  fubfequent  com- 
mencement,  in  September,  a  junction  was  formed 
between  the  civilians  exprefled  in  the  ac~l,  and  the 
members  of  the  old  corporation,  who  from  that 
time  conftituted  one  united  board  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  college.! 

THE  funds  of  the  college,  before  the   liberal 
addition  made  to  them  in  1792,  confifted  of  rent?, 

*  SH  Cafa/oguefir  \  797.  •{*  Helmti  Life  ofPrefident  Sfiks,  /\4O! , 


NE  W.ENGLAND.  507 

of  land,  to  the  amount  of  800  1.  a  year,  about 
800  1.  raifed  by  tuition  money,  upon  the  ftudents, 
befides  funds  for  the  fupport  of  two  profeflbrfhips. 

IN  1792,  the  college  library  confided  of  about 
3000  volumes.  This  feminary  is  furnimed  with 
a  valuable  philofophical  apparatus,  and  the  mufq- 
um  contains  many  natural  curiofities. 

THE  three  learned  languages,  together  with  the 
liberal  arts  and  fciences,  in  their  feveral  branches, 
and  a  general  courfe  of  univerfal  literature,  are 
taught  in  this  college. 

IN  May  and  September,  annually,  the  feveral 
claffes  are  critically  examined  in  all  their  clalTical 
ftudies.  As  incentives  to  improvement  in  compo* 
fition  and  oratory,  quarterly  exercifes  are  appoint- 
ed by  the  prefident  and  tutors,  to  be  exhibited  by 
the  refpeclive  claries,  in  rotation,  A  public  com" 
mencement  is  held  annually,  on  the  fecond  Wednef. 
day  in  September,  which  calls  together  a  more 
numerous  and  brilliant  aflembly,  than  are  con- 
vened by  any  other  anniverfary  in  the  (late.* 

ON  the  augmentation  of  the  funds  of  Yale  col- 
lege, a  fufficient  fum  was  applied  to  the  erection 
of  another  edifice,  which  was  completed  on  thq 
7th  of  July,  1 794.  Another  part  of  the  augment- 
ed  funds  was  applied  to  the  profeflbrfhip  of  math-' 
ematics  and  natural  philofophy. 

FROM  the  foundation  of  Yale  college,  to  the 
year  1795,  2372  received  their  education  at  this 
feminary,  of  which  number  618  were  educated 
under  the  prefidency  of  Dr.  Stiles.t 

*  Morfts  Geography,  Vol.  /, />.  459.    f  Life  of  PrtfJent  Srilti. 


5o8  HISTORY    OF 

FROM  December,  1776,  to  June,  1782,  the 
college  edifice  at  Providence,  in  Rhode-IHand, 
was  ufed  by  the  French  and  American  troops  for 
an  hofpital  and  barracks,  fo  that  the  courie  of 
education  was  interrupted  during  that  period.  No 
degrees  were  conferred  from  17/6  to  1786.  From 
1786  the  college  again  became  regular,  and  is  npw 
very  flourifhing,  containing  upwards  of  60  fludents. 

THIS  inftitution  is  under  the  inft ruction  of  a 
prefidcnt,  a  profelfor  of  divinity,  a  profeffor  of 
natural  and  experimental  philofophy,  a  profeffor 
of  mathematics  and  aftronomy,  a  piofeffor  of  nat- 
ural hiftory,  and  three  tutors.  The  inftitution  has 
a  library  of  between  two  and  three  thoufand  vol- 
umes, containing  a  valuable  philofophical  appara- 
tus- Nearly  all  the  funds  of  the  college  are  at  in- 
tereft  in  the  treafury  of  the  flate,  and  amount  to 
almoft  two  thoufand  pounds. 

IN  the  year  1/95,  380  young  gentlemen  had 
received  their  education  in  this  college.* 

THE  fituation  of  Dartmouth  college,  in  a  fron- 
tier country,  expofed  it,  during  the  late  war,  to 
many  inconveniences,  which  impeded  its  profper- 
ity.  It  fiouriihed,  however,  arnidfl  ali  its  embar- 
laffrnents,  and  is  now  one  of  the  moil  growing 
feminaries  in  the  United  States. 

THE  funds  of  this  college  confi (I  chiefly  of  lands, 
amounting  to  80,000  acres,  which  are  increafmg 
in  value,  in  propoition  to  the  growth  of  the  coun- 
try. The  revenue  of  the  college,  ariiingfrom  the 
lands,  in  1793  amounted  annually  to  140!.  By 

*    Cata'cgMfor  179$. 


N  E  W  -  E  N'OrL  A  N  I).  509 

contracts  then  made,  would  amount,  in  four  years 
after,  to  450 1.  and  in  twelve  years  to  650  1.  The 
income  for  tuition,  is  about  600 1.  per  annum. 

THE  number  of  undergraduates  is,  on  an  aver- 
age, obout  150.  A  grammar  fchool,  of  about  50 
or  60  fcholars,  is  annexed  to  the  college. 

THE  ftudents  are  under  the  immediate  govern- 
ment and  inftru&ion  of  a  prefident,  who  is  alfo 
profeffor  of  hiftory  ;  a  profefibr  of  mathematics 
and  natural  philofophy,  a  profeflbr  of  languages, 
and  two  tutors.  The  college  is  furnilhed  with  a 
handfome  library,  and  a  philosophical  apparatus, 
tolerably  complete.  A  new  college  was  erected 
in  1786,  containing  thirty-fix  rooms  for  ftudents. 
Its  fituation  is  elevated,  healthful  and  pleafant, 
commanding  an  extenfive  profpect  to  the  weft. 
There  are  three  other  public  buildings,  belonging 
to  the  college.* 

IT  was  computed  in  the  year  1795,  that  621  ftu- 
dents had  received  their  education  at  this  feminary. 

IN  October,  1791,  the  legiilature  of  the  ftate 
of  Vermont  paffed  an  ad  for  eftablifhing  a  univer- 
fity  at  Burlington,  on  Lake  Champlain,  in  a  de- 
lightful (ituation,  on  the  fouth  fide  of  the  Win- 
ouiki,  or  Onion  river,  and  appointed  ten  truftees. 
The  fum  of  6000 1.  was  fecured  by  donation, 
part  of  which  is  to  be  applied  to  the  erecting  of 
buildings,  and  part  fettled  as  a  fund  for  the  fup- 
port  of  the  inftitution.  There  have  been  referved, 
in  the  feveral  grants  made  by  this  ftate,  about 
33,000  acres  of  land,  for  the  ufe  of  the  univerfi- 

*  Mor/t's  Geography,  Vol.  I.  p.  376. 


HISTORY  OF 

ty.     This,  in  a  few  years,  will  become  a  valua* 
ble  fund.* 

A  NUMBER  of  years  have  elapfed,  fmce  the 
adoption  of  the  federal  conftitution,  during  which 
time  experience  has  fully  evinced  its  diftinguifhing 
excellences  ;  and  the  flourifhing  ftate  of  the  coun- 
try has  exhibited  the  bleilings  of  a  wife  adminiftra- 
tion.  The  beloved  commander  of  the  American 
forces,  who  excelled  the  molt  celebrated  heroes  in 
the  field,  was  equally  eminent  in  the  cabinet  ;  and, 
after  prefiding  at  the  head  of  the  union  with  an 
unrivalled  fublimity  of  character,  crowned  with 
the  fervent  benedictions  of  a  grateful  people,  he 
retired  to  fpend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  tran- 
quil folitude.  But,  the  alarming  afpect  of  affairs 
again  roufes  his  glowing  patriotifm,  and  he  cheer- 
fully relinquifhes  the  fweets  of  retirement,  and 
nragnanimoufly  takes  the  chief  command  of  the 
aimiesofthe  United  States,!  to  reanimate  their 
courage,  and  add  energy  to  their  exertions.  This 
evinces  the  mod  noble  and  difmterefted  virtue, 
and  adds  the  brighteft  luftre  to  his  immortal  fame, 
while  the  Americans  behold  with  triumph  the  he- 
roic deliverer  of  their  country,  generoufly  devot- 
ing the  remnant  of  his  life  to  its  defence. 

AT  the  prefent  critical  period,  the  United  States 
contemplate  with  exalted  fatisfa&ion,  the  illuftri- 

*  ^he  compiler  of  the  Hi/lory  of  New-England  has  tranfcribed 
the  greateft  part  of  the  account  of  the  feminaries  of  learning  from 
Dr.  Morje't  Geography,  becauj'e  foe  hat  found  it  impoffibie  to  gi<ve 
fuch  u  concije  and  accurate  account  in  any  other  words  ;  at  d  becauj$ 
there  have  been  but  few  alterations  fine e  the  lajl  edition  of  his  Gto« 
graphy,  in  1796,  from  -ivhich  the  quotations  are  xiade. 

t  7«£«3.  1798. 


NEW-ENGLAND.  511 

ous  Adams,  a  native  of  New-England,  placed  at 
the  head  of  government.  His  penetrating  genius, 
and  foiid  judgment,  the  dignified  calmnefs,  blend- 
ed with  the  energy  of  his  character,  his  profound 
political  knowledge,  his  early  and  perfevering  ex- 
ertions for  the  liberties  of  his  country,  his  invio- 
lable integrity  and  fmcerity,  his  invincible  firm- 
nefs,  fupreme  regard  for  religion,  and  the  recfci* 
tude  and  prudence  of  his  prefent  adminiftration, 
promife  all  the  fuccefs  that  human  wifdom  can  en. 
fure,  and  open  to  the  United  States  a  fair  prof- 
peck  of  increafmg  refpeciability. 

IN  reviewing  the  hiftory  of  New-England,  and 
the  late  American  revolution,  we  find  the  won- 
ders of  divine  Providence,  rifing  confpicuouily  in 
every  fcene.  At  firft  we  behold  a  fmall  number 
of  people,  who,  when  oppreft  by  cruel  perfecu- 
tion,  preferred  the  facred  rights  of  confcience  to 
all  earthly  enjoyments,  and  exchanged  their  na- 
tive country  for  a  dreary  wildernefs,  inhabited  by 
favages.  After  ftruggling  with  complicated  hard- 
fhips,  the  wiidernafs,  at  length,  was  made  to  blof- 
fom  "  like  a  rofe,"  by  the  hand  of  perfevering 
induftry.  The  perfecution  in  England  proved  the 
mean  of  planting  flouriming  colonies  in  the  new 
world  ;  and  though  their  profperity  was  fometimes 
clouded,  yet  their  misfortunes,  and  even  their 
prejudices  and  bigotry  were  overruled  for  good. 
Thofe  emigrants,  who  were  driven  from  MafTachu- 
fetts  by  perfecution,  formed  new  fettlements.  The 
colonies  increafed,  and  rofe  in  wealth  ;  and  the 
interpofing  hand  of  Heaven  protected  them  under 


5i2  HIST  O  R  Y   OF 

every  difficulty.  When  involved  in  the  diftrei- 
fing  Philipic  war,  they  were  enabled  to  fubdue 
their  favage  enemies.  When  they  were  deprived 
of  their  charters,  the  fudden  revolution  in  Eng- 
land relieved  them  from  the  oppreffion  of  arbitra- 
ry power.  When  the  united  efforts  of  the  French 
and  their  Indian  allies  were  levelled  againfl  them, 
the  conquering  arms  of  Britain  and  her  colonies 
fruft rated  their  attempts.  Then  arrived  the  im- 
portant era,  when  Britain  exerted  her  utmoft 
ftrength  to  deprive  them  of  their  dearly  purchafed 
privileges.  Arms  mud  finally  decide  the  conteft ; 
and  a  new  country,  under  great  difad vantages, 
was  involved  in  an  unequal  war  with  that  po- 
tent nation,  which  had  recently  bafiled  the  unit- 
ed powers  of  France  and  Spain.  Infpired  by 
the  facred  flame  of  liberty,  the  Americans  triumph- 
ed over  the  well  difciplined  forces  of  the  parent 
ftate.  Britain  was  defeated  by  the  arms  fhe  def- 
pifed  ;  and  after  expending  nearly  an  hundred 
millions  of  money,  and  lofing  an  hundred  thou- 
fand  lives,  was  reduced  to  the  humiliating  necefli- 
ty  of  acknowledging  the  independence  of  the 
United  States. 

AFTER  independence  was  obtained  by  the  fvvord, 
and  acknowledged  by  the  neighboring  nations,  a 
fpirit  of  anarchy  threatened  the  fubverfion  of  our 
recently  acquired  liberty.  The  interpofition  of 
Providence  was  vifible,  at  this  alarming  crifis,  in 
caufmg  thofe  tumults  finally  to  terminate  in  the 
eflablifhtnent  of  the  federal  conftitution,  which 


N  E  W-EN  G  L  A  N  D.  513 

placed  the  privileges   of  the   United   States   on  a 
permanent  foundation. 

EXALTED  from  a  feeble  ilate  to  opulence  and 
independence,  the  federal  Americans  are  now  re- 
cognized as  a  nation  throughout  the  globe.  From 
a  comparifon  of  their  former  with  their  prefent 
circumftances,  the  mind  is  expanded  to  contem- 
plate fcenes  of  future  grandeur,  and  is  led  to  con- 
clude, that  the  United  States  are  advancing  in, 
knowledge  and  happinefs,  while  the  wealth  and 
power  of  more  ancient  governments  is  rapidly 
declining.  The  highly  favored  Americans  ought 
to  raife  their  minds  in  grateful  afpirations  to  Hea- 
ven, that  the  fair  profpect  may  never  be  reverfed, 
by  a  fpirit  of  anarchy  prevailing  among  the  peo- 
ple ;  but  that  GENUINE  LIBERTY,  united  <wlth 
ORDER  and  GOOD  GOVERNMENT,  may  continue- 
to  dhTufe  their  bleffings  through  the  widely  ex- 
tended union. 


R  R  r 


NOTES. 


/V  Chapter  I.  />.  1  1. 

X  HE  court  of  high  commiilion  had  been  evened 
by  Elizabeth,  in  confequence  of  an  act  of  parliament,  pailcd 
in  the  beginning  of  her  reign,  in  order  to  arm  the  fovereign  with 
full  power  to  fupprefs  all  oppofition.  All  appeals  from  the 
inferior  courts  were  carried  before  the  high  commWion.  Ev- 
ery breach  of  the  act  of  uniformity  was  cognizable  in  this 
court.  See  Hume's  Hift.  of  England.  Vol.  V.  p.  158. 


For  Chapter  II.   p.    25. 

The  Stnr-Chamber  was  a  court  compo-fed  of  certain  noble- 
men, biihops,  judges  and  counfellors  of  the  fovereign  *s  nomi- 
nation, to  the  number  of  twenty  or  thirty,  with  his  majefty 
at  their  head.  The  determinations  of  this  court,  are  not  by 
the  verdict  of  a  jury,  nor  by  any  ffcatute  law  of  the  land,  but 
by  the  will  of  the  fovereign  ;  yet  are  as  binding  as  any  act  of 
parliament.  Neal,  Vol.  I,  p.  5, 


For  Chapter  XV.  p.    192. 

Though  the  inhabitants  of  Connecticut  were  fuccefsful  in 
preferving  their  charter,  governor  Dudley,  and  other  men  of 
arbitrary  principles,  fo  far  ilicceedcd  in  Aeir  attempts  againft 
their  privileges,  that  in  the  latter  part  of  the  reign  of  King 
William,  a  bill  was  prepared  for  reuniting  -all  die  charter 
governments  to  the  crown.  When  they  found  the  bill  could 
not  be  carried,  they  made  a.  more  open  and  powerful  oppo- 
iiuon  to  the  -charter  rights  of  Connecticut,  but  all  their-at- 
ttmptswere  frullrated.  See  Trumbull,  p.  432  —  433. 


A    LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 

A.  Abraham  Cummings,  A.M.  Frceport. 

JOHN  ADAMS,  L.  L.  D.  Prefi-  D. 

dent  of  the  United  States,  Quin-  Mr.  Andrew  Dexter,  Mendon. 
cy  (Maff.)  3  copies.  Stephen  Defter,  Provider ce. 

Mrs.  ABIGAIL  ADAMS,  do.       Rev.  Timothy  Dickinfon,  Holliflon. 

John  Quincy  Adams,  Efq.  Minifter  Simeon  Doggett,  A.  M.  Preceptor 

at  the  court  of  Berlin.  of  Taunt  on  academy. 

Charles  Adams,  Efq.   Counfelkir  at  John  Dorrance,  Efq.  Providence. 

law,  .New-York.  Mr.  SamueJ  Doufe,  Charlefton. 

Thomas  BoyLftcn  Adams,  Efq.  Phi-  Edward  Dowfe,  Efq.  Dedham. 

ladelphia.  Elijah  Dunbar,  A.  M.  Canton. 

Hon.  Samuel  Adams,  Efq.  Bofton.      Thomas  D  wight,  Efq.  Springfield. 
Elijah  Adams,  Efq.  Medfield.  £_ 

Mr.  Peter  Adams,  Franklin.  Rev>  jofeph  EoklcV)  D>  D>  Bofton> 

Benjamin    Allen,  A.  M.    Preceptor  Richard  R.  Elliot,  Watertow*. 

of  the  academy  at  Plamficld.  james  E1jk  Ef      Attorney    at  law 

Morrill  Allen,  A.  JB.  Providence.      J    Renoboth. 

Hon.  Fifher  Ames,  Efq.  Dedham.       Rev.NathL  Emmons,  DJX  Franklin. 
Mrs.  Grizzle  Apthorp,  Bofton. 
Rev.JamesArmftror.j>;,Trenton(NJ.) 

Welcome  Arnold,  Efq.  Providence.  Eli{ha  Fairbank,  A.  M.  Franklin. 
Dr.  George  Afpinwall,  Savannah.      Eliftia  Fiflc>  A-  M-  Tutott'  in   Provi- 
Rev.  David  Avtry,  Union.  dence  college. 

Mr.  William  Fofter,  Bofton. 
Capt.  Samuel  Fofter,  Scituatc. 

Rev.  John  Barker,  Middleborough.  Mr.  jacob  R>  Flintj  Reading. 
Dr.  Thomas  Bartlet,  Eofton.  john  FranciSj  Providence, 

Mr.  Samuel  Bafs,  Randolph.  Rev.  james  treeman,  Bofton. 

Capt.  John  Baxter,  Medfield.  Dr>  Mofes  Frcnch>   Braintree. 

Dr.  Cyrus  Bean    Wrentham.  Mr.  jofeph  Fuller    Newton. 

Kev.  Jeremy  Belknap,  D.  D.  Bofcon. 
George  Benfon,  Efq.  Providence. 

Mifs  Sufanna  Binney,  Watertown.  His  Honor  Mofes  Gill»  Liei!t-  Gov- 
Mr.George  Bird,  Needham,  6  copies.  of  Maffachufetts,  Princeton,  ^  cop. 
Jabez  Bowen,  Efq.  Providence.  Chriftopher  Gore,  Efq.  Bofton. 

Rev.  John  Bradford,  Roxbury.  Mn  Nathaniel  Gorham,     do. 

Ifaac  Bramin,  JLynfield.  Mrs-  Elizabeth  Gray,          do. 

Hon.  John  Brown,  Efq.  Providence.  H. 

Mr.  Mofes  Brown,  do.         Rev.  Jafon  Haven,  Dedham-. 

Nicholas  Brown,    Efq.  do.         Col.  Benjamin  Hawes,  Wrentham. 

Mr.  Obadiah  Brown,  do.          Mr.  Levi  Hawes,  Franklin. 

Mrs.  Avis  Brown,  do.          Rev.  Enos  Hitchcock,  D.  D.  Provi* 

Charles  Bulfinch,  M.  D.  Boftoii.  dence. 

Rev.  John  Bullard,  PepperiU.  Rev.  Abiel  Holmes,  Cambridge. 

Jofeph  Bryan,  Efq.  Savannah.  Jonathan  Homer,  Newton. 

Capt.  Beriah  Braftow,  Wrentkam.  Simeon  Hov/ard,  D.  D.  Bofton. 

C,  Zachariah  Howard,  Canton. 

Rev.  John  Clark,  D.  D.  Boftoru         Hon-  David  Howell,  Providence. 

Pitt  Clark,  Norton.  Major-General  Hull,  Newton. 

Mr.  Phillips  Clark,  Medfield.  Mr*  JofePh  Hurd'  Charlefton. 

John  I.  Clark,  Efq.  Providence.          David  H)rfloP»  E%  Brooklinc. 
Mr.  Francis  Childs,  Dedham.  I.  J. 

Col.  Peter  Church,  Briftol.  Mr.  Thomas  P.  Ives,  Providence. 

Mr.  Caleb  Clap,  Bofton.  John  Jeffrks,  M.  D.  Bofton 

Jeffe  Clap,  Dedham.  John  Jones,  Efq.  Hopkinton. 

Rev.  John  Cleavelaud,  Wrentham,  Hon.  John  C.  Jo-cs,  £i"q.  Bofton. 


SUBSCRIBER  S>     N  AM  E  S. 

Mr.  John  P.  Jones,  Providence.         Abijah  Richardfon,  Efq.  Medway. 
Thomas  Jones,         do.  Mr.  James  Richardfon,   Student    at 

j,-  law,  Dcdham. 

Rev.  John  T.  Kirkland,  Bofton,  ^  co.  ^  NT^  R^^     cT^bft  "" 
Mr.  Jofeph  Kingfbury,  Dedham.  '   '  ;L»  _  LJ  .    *£,'       j*        '°  * 

Dr.  Lemuel  KolLock,  Savannah,  6  co.  -.         *  ,,      . K^ ,'    . Iq'  Boltolu 

Rev.  Jofeph  Ruffel,  Princeton. 

Dr.  John  Larkin,  Charfcfton  Mf<  Job  Samf       D'uxb  h. 

John  JLatnrop,  mn.  Elq.  Dedham.  T^'UJO     r    j     TV/TJ 

"4  /r-r   i^    i  i     f  j    \T  icnaboa  baniora,  Me  d  way. 

Aliis  Pedcty  Leonard,  JNcrton.  iinr        o     -         -on. 

T  -    t    T        n  \  /r   i  William  Saxton,  Bofton. 

Capt.  Jolepn  I-ovell,  Med\vay.  q         =1  Q     tt    Ff  i\ 

Mr.  Edward  Lorinij,  Savannah.  i  -*t  o    •  i_     TT         t--n 

T  ,      T     r  .   ,^'  ,T,  Rev.  Hezekiah  Smith,  Haverhill, 

John  Lufcome,  A.M.  launton,  3co.  Mf   Barncy  gmlth)  Bofton> 

M.  Mifr,  Jemima  Smith,  Medneld. 

Dr.  Bezeliel  Mann,  Attleborough.     Capt.  Samuel  Snow,  Providence, 

James  Mann,  Wrentham.  Rev.  Samuel  Stillman,  D.D.  BoftoiT. 

Mr.  Amherft  Mann,     do.  Dr.  Jeremy  Stimfoa,  Hopkinton. 

Elias  Mann,  Medfi.:ld.  Capt.  Timothy  Stow,  Deuham, 

Reuben  Marfh,  Hopkinton.        Rev.  Jona.  Strong,    Randolph,  3  cb. 
Johnfon  Mafon,  Medfield.  Mr.  Cyprian  Sterry,  Providence. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Maxcy,  Pretident  of  Ephm.  Starkweather, Efq.  Rehoboth. 

R.  I.  college,  Providence.  »p 

Dr.  Paul  R.  Mt-tcalf,  Wrentham.       Rev.Bavid  Tapan,  D.D.  Cambridge. 
Mifs  Rebcfcca  A -[criam,  Wa.pole.        Dn  jonathan  Tay,  Sherburne. 
Dr.  Nathaniel  Miller,  Franklin.          Rcy>  Thomas  Thacher,  Deuham. 
Phineaa  Mills,  Efq.  Savannah.  Horatio  Townfend,    E%    Attorney 

Dr.  Afa  Miles,  WcftminAct.  at  jaw    Mediield. 

Rev.  William  Montagu,  Dedham.      Mifs  Sarah  Townfend,  do. 

Jedediah  Morfe,  D.D.  Charlef-  Rev>  Benj€  Trumbull,  D.  D.  North- 

[town.        Haven.  V. 

Ebenezer  Morfe,  Boylftone.       Mr>  B-  yaughan,  Little-Cambridge. 
John  Morfe,  Green-River. 

Mifs  Mary  Morfe,  Medfield.  J  \V*     r 

Mr.  James  Morfe,         do.  Deciu«  W«dfw«rtb,  Efq..  Attorney 

.Perez  Morton,  Efq.  Bofkm.  ^^    la^v'  Savannah. 

M-'   rarah  Morton        do  Mr>  Ro^crt  Watts,  do. 

Fofter  Waterman,  A.  M.  Bofroru 

N.  Ben],  Watcrhoufe,  M.D.  Cambridge* 

Mr.  Stephen  S.  Nelfon,  Mid.lkboro.  Col.  Jofeph  Ward,  Newton. 
TpfcyhNigUtinga^  Efq.  Providence.  Mr.  Benjamin  Ware,  Sherburne. 
Rev.  Jacob  Norton,  Weymouth.  Johu  Ware,  Newton. 

Q  Hon.  Oliver  Wcndel,  Bofton. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Ofgood,  Gardner.       Mifs  Siify  Wcndel,          do 

Rev.  Samuel  Wcfl,  D.  D.  do. 
Mr.  Oiivtr  Wheelock,  Medfielu. 

Mr.  George  Paine,  Bofton,  a  copies.  Mifg  Hannah  Whitney,  Sherburns. 
John  A.  Parkman,  Wcftborou.  Dr>  Ifrael  Chiton,  Winchendon. 
Stauton  Parker,  Cambridge.       R(,v>  Hcnry  wigljt,  Briftol. 
k  =  v.  Seth  PayA.n,  Rindge.  Miii  Thankful  Wight,   MedfielJ. 

Mr.    John    Pc-pou,  1'utor  in    Cam-  R(,y<    jufcp}1  Willard,  D.  D.    Prefi- 

briuge  college.  jent  or  Cambridge  college. 

Mr.  Silvaum  Porter,  Bofton.  Rev>  \villiam  Williams,  Wrentham, 

Kev.  Thomas  Prentifs,  Medneld.        Thcmaa  Williams,   jun.  Efq.  Attorr 
]Wr..  Abigail  Prefect,  Boftoa.  Key  at  law?  Roxbury. 

Mifs  Eliza  Price,  Hopkinton,  a  cop.  Rcy>  jamcs  Wilfon,  Providence. 

R.  Mr.  Jofiah  Wilder,  Rir.dgc. 

Kon.Daviil  Ramiay,  M.D.  Charlef-     Hon.  James  Wmthrop,  Cambridge, 2» 

ton  (S.  C.)  Capt.  Charles  De  Wolfe,  Briftol. 

Rev.  Aia'ph  Puce,  Weftminftes,          Rev.  Ltthcr  Wright,  Mcdway* 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


